PR1MULACE/E 



Primulaceae 



Herbaceous plants; leaves simple, generally entire, 

 exstipulate ; flowers usually regular ; calyx persistent, 

 with four to five divisions : corolla monopetalous, four- 

 to five-lobed ; stamens inserted on the corolla-tube, in 

 number equal to the lobes ; style single. The roots 

 contain a peculiar constituent, which gives them a strong 

 scent of anise. 



Primula 



A genus, only second, perhaps, to the Saxifrages in 

 value and, alas, second also in confusion of nomenclature. 

 Some one hundred and fifty mountain species have found 

 a place in gardens and the number grows almost daily 

 with introductions from hitherto unexplored areas of 

 central Asia; of almost every species, too, are many 

 forms and varieties. Needless to say, the constitution 

 and requirements vary widely ; some are sun lovers 

 generally those with leathery rather than viscid foliage 

 some lovers of partial shade or bogs. Some require 

 peat, some lime, some sandier material; but sound loam 

 with plenty of broken stones suits most. For like all 

 true rock plants they are deep rooters and must have 

 deep crevices in which to bury their immense thongs. 

 Like many other alpines with similar root structure they 

 are very apt to lift during frost, and neglect to remedy 

 such an accident may easily be fatal. Propagation by 

 seed is slow, though sure, but absolute truth to kind 



