Sunday 19 May Primrose (Primula vulgaris) What’s the World’s
Favourite Species?Find out here. Primrose fact file - Find out
more - Print factsheet The primrose is well-known as one of the
first flowers of the year, indeed the common name derives from
'prima rosa' meaning 'first flower'. It is a symbol of both the
spring and of Easter (4). The crinkled green leaves form loose
rosettes, and are covered on the underside with a fine layer of
downy hairs (2). The flowers are pale yellow, or rarely pink,
and measure 20-40 mm in diameter (2)Top This perennial species
is evergreen, but occasionally aestivates (becomes dormant in
summer during hot, dry weather) (3). It typically flowers from
March to June (5), although it may flower throughout the year in
sheltered hedge banks in Cornwall and copses in Sussex (4).
Reproduction occurs by seeds, which are dispersed by ants (3). A
single primrose plant may live for 15-25 years (4). Primroses
have been picked for sale and for decorating churches for
generations; this prac