THE PEIMROSE FAMILY 333 



Primulaceae. 



The Primrose Family. 



Distribution. — This is a family of wide distribution, but chiefly found in 

 temperate regions or alpine districts. The species possess no economic value, 

 but many are cultivated for the beauty of their flowers. The Primrose, the 

 Auricula, the Polyanthus, and the Cyclamen are well-known garden plants. The 

 little alpine Soldanella is remarkable for its heat-producing powers. This 

 delicate little plant generates warmth sufficient to melt the ice above it, so that 

 it can raise its blue-fringed bells into the air for the purpose of attracting 

 pollinating insects. New Zealand possesses only one representative of the 

 Primulaceae, the inconspicuous and unimportant herb Samolus. 



Genus Samolus. 



Herbs, with alternate leaves, and regular flowers. Calyx 5-toothed ; corolla 

 5-lobed ; stamens 5, alternating with 5 staminodia. Capsule 5-valved. (Accord- 

 ing to Pliny, the name is Druidical for a healing marsh plant.) 1 sp. 



Samolus littoral is (The Sea-side Samolus). 



A small creeping herb. Leaves thick, shining, ^ in.-l in. long; spathulate, 

 often recurved. Flowers J in. -J in. across, white. Both islands : by the sea- 

 coast. Fl. Nov. -Jan. 



This little genus is remarkable for its wide geographical 

 range, being found in wet, gravelly places almost everywhere. 

 It is also interesting, as being the only group in the family 

 known to possess staminodia. In all the other genera the 

 stamens are antipetalous, i.e., they are situated opposite to 

 the petals ; and it has been suggested that possibly this is due 

 to the suppression at some time of an outer whorl of stamens, 

 still present in Samolus as staminodia. S. littoralis frequently 

 carpets the salt meadows, and produces a profusion of white 

 flowers, which are in beautiful contrast to the brown-green of 

 the leaves. 



