Cowslip
Primula veris L.

Primula veris, commonly known as cowslip, is a perennial flowering plant in the Primulaceae family. It is native to temperate Europe and western Asia, with a wide distribution including regions in North America, Europe, and parts of Africa. The species is known to hybridize with other Primula species, such as Primula vulgaris, forming false oxlip. Taxonomic clarification is ongoing due to differing type designations, which could affect the correct application of the name.
Description
Primula veris is a herbaceous perennial in the Primulaceae family, widely distributed across temperate Europe, western Asia, and introduced in parts of North America and Africa. It is commonly called cowslip and is known to hybridize with Primula vulgaris, forming false oxlip. Taxonomic uncertainty exists regarding the correct application of the name due to differing type designations. Richards proposed Herb. Burser XIII: 137 (UPS) as lectotype, but an earlier designation by Halda linked the name to Herb. Linn. 198.1 (LINN), which may correspond to P. canescens. Until resolved, the use of P. veris should align with current taxonomic usage to avoid confusion.
Other common names
CowslipCowslip PrimroseEnglish CowslipPaiglePalsywort
Distribution
Newfoundland · British Columbia · New Brunswick · Nova Scotia · Ontario · Quebec · Saint Pierre and Miquelon · Flanders · Corse (Corsica) · SE · Vermont-US · BR · IS · NO · DK · Jardín Botánico de Bogotá · CA · conterminous 48 United States · Albania · Algeria · Altay · Austria · Baltic States · Belarus · Belgium · Bulgaria · Buryatiya · Central European Rus · Connecticut · Czechoslovakia





