oxlip

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Primula veris subsp. elatior
• Primula veris elatior
• Primula veris var. elatior

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ericales, it is classified under the family Primulaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Primula, and its specific species name, Primula elatior.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and Finland. Furthermore, its presence extends to the landscapes of Great Britain. The species is also well-established in Norway. Finally, its geographical range includes the territory of Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Primula elatior is characterized by its preference for diverse, high-altitude environments, where it typically flourishes within forests, hills, meadows, and mountainous terrains. This species is specifically adapted to these varied landscapes, occupying niches that provide the necessary moisture and shade found in woodland understories or open alpine meadows. Its distribution is closely linked to specific altitudinal belts, with an average elevational range centered around 1866 m AMSL. This positioning within montane ecosystems suggests a reliance on the cooler temperatures and unique soil compositions found at mid-to-high elevations.

Elevational range mean:

1866 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, hills, meadows, mountains

Life history

The life history of Primula elatior is characterized by its existence as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the ground layer during unfavorable periods. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle, which aligns with its survival strategy in its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Primula elatior is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This self-supporting plant exhibits a terrestrial lifestyle and functions as an independent organism, not relying on parasitic relationships. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height that typically reaches a mean of 0.113 m, ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.113 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Primula elatior is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on traditional soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the capture of prey. Its leaf morphology is defined by a mean leaf size of approximately 42.05875 cm², which contributes to a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 323.02 cm²/g, reflecting its structural investment in leaf tissue relative to its mass.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

42.05875 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

323.02 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Primula elatior is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is noted to be absent. The flowering period typically begins in March and concludes in May, though the timing can be variable. During the flowering stage, the plant utilizes biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on insects such as bees to facilitate fertilization; notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule. This fruit is dehiscent, meaning it opens at maturity to release its seeds. The seeds produced are quite small, with a mean mass of 0.000651 g, and a recorded mass range between 0.00085 g (noted as both the minimum and maximum in specific data points). Once released, the seeds undergo an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing wind to spread throughout the environment.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

May

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00085 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000651 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Primula elatior has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Primula elatior has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Hyperoside, Isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, PRIMVERIN, Primulaverin.

Flavonoids

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Hyperoside

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

PRIMVERIN

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Primulaverin

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

rutoside

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Activities

Primula elatior has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Expectorant.

Antioxidant

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Expectorant

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Medicinal Uses

Primula elatior has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant activity, convulsions, epilepsy, upper respiratory tract infections.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations