Primula L.

Ghazanfar, S. A. & Edmondson, J. R (Eds). (2014) Flora of Iraq, Volume 5 Part 2: Lythraceae to Campanulaceae.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial rosulate scapose herbs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves all basal, entire or lobed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers heterostylous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence an umbel or of numerous superimposed verticils or rarely racemose or spicate, very rarely solitary

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts foliaceous or setaceous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tubular or campanulate, sometimes inflated, persistent, lobes 5

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla tube as long as or longer than calyx, limb usually spreading, 5-lobed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule globose to cylindrical, usually as long as calyx, dehiscing by 5–10 valves

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds numerous, angular.

Distribution

Widespread from Eurasia south to India, Indo-China and to New Guinea, N Africa and Ethiopia; also found in Alaska, Canada and Greenland, N and W USA to New Mexico and Mexico; S Chile and Argentina and Falkland Is.

Note

Primula (from Lat. primulus, very first, the diminutive of primus, first or foremost).