Plant
ð¼
ð¼
Size
8â20 cmLow-growing, about the height of a coffee mug
Lifespan
Perennial; plants can live 20+ years
Rarity
Common
M vs F
N/A â but flowers are either "pin" (long style, low anthers) or "thrum" (short style, high anthers)
Habitat
Ancient woodland, hedgebanks, coastal cliffs, meadow edges â indicator of undisturbed ground
Best time
FebruaryâMay
Conservation
UK: Green
LC
💡 Did you know?
Primroses were one of the first UK wildflowers studied for evolution â Darwin used their two flower types (pin and thrum) as a key example of how flowers enforce cross-pollination
The two flower types (heterostyly) are controlled by a 'supergene' â a cluster of genes inherited as a single unit that ensures pollen from one type can only fertilise the other
Often confused with
Cowslip (nodding flowers on a tall stem)
Oxlip (similar but larger
stooping flowers â rare ancient woodland specialist)
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