| Primula auricula | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Primulaceae |
| Genus: | Primula |
| Species: | P. auricula |
| Binomial name | |
| Primula auricula | |
Primula auricula, often known asauricula,mountain cowslip orbear's ear (from the shape of its leaves), is aspecies offlowering plant in thefamily Primulaceae, that grows onbasic rocks in the mountain ranges of central Europe, including the westernAlps,Jura Mountains, theVosges, theBlack Forest and theTatra Mountains.
It is anevergreenperennial growing to 20 cm (8 in) tall by 25 cm (10 in) wide.[1] The leaves areobovate and stalkless, with a cartilaginous edge, all growing in a basalrosette, and sometimes covered in a mealy white bloom.[1] The yellow flowers grow in clusters on 5–20 cm (2–8 in) long stalks.
Thespecific epithetauricula means "ear-shaped", and refers to the shape of the leaves.[2]
A recent study split the species into two,Primula lutea andP. auricula, with the former being found further south and east (Apennines, Carpathians, Balkans, and the southern and eastern Alps). Prior to this study,P. lutea had been consideredsynonymous withP. auricula. Other synonyms ofP. auricula includeP. balbisii andP. ciliata.
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This plant has gained theRoyal Horticultural Society'sAward of Garden Merit.[3][4] In the UK two National Collections of auriculas are held by Hillview Hardy Plants nursery, on a 1 acre (0.4 ha) plot inWorfield,Shropshire.[5][6]
The termauricula is also used collectively for plants which have been developed from ahybrid betweenP. auricula andP. hirsuta. Thousands ofcultivars are available in a wide range of colours, and several societies are devoted to their cultivation and display.[7][8]
Primula auricula is depicted on the obverse side ofAustrian € 0.05 euro coins.
pages update April 2023 doc.
Media related toPrimula auricula at Wikimedia Commons
Data related toPrimula auricula at Wikispecies | ThisPrimulaceae article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |