THE PRIMROSE FAMILY 
[ORDER XLVII. PRIMULACE./E] 
T HIS family is easily recognised from all others whose flowers have united petals, except 
one exotic family of shrubs, by the stamens being opposite the corolla-lobes and by the 
fruit being i-celled and having numerous seeds attracted to a central column. 
Its members inhabit the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, and though some 
of the species are so well known in our own isles, yet it is in Alpine districts that the order is seen 
to best advantage. High up in the Alps, Pyrenees, and Himalaya, on the bleak mountain-sides, 
protected by the snow from the icy cold of winter, they blossom forth in the summer sun into 
a blaze of yellow, violet, mauve, pink, blue, and white. There species of Primula, Soldanella, 
Aretia, and Androsace abound in the glory of perfection. 
The Auricula, a favourite flower of cultivation of the 15th century, owes its parentage to the 
Primula pubescens, a native of the Tyrol. The Polyanthus is a species cultivated from the 
Cowslip (Primula veris). Besides the varieties obtained from these two garden flowers many 
species of Primula and Cyclamen are grown in greenhouses. 
This order is possessed of no important medicinal properties. 
Calyx-tube free from the seedcase. Capsule opening by valves. 
I. Prim'ula. Flowers in clusters ; calyx tubular with 5 short teeth ; corolla with a long 
cylindrical tube ; capsule opening at the top by 5 valves, which are sometimes cleft ; 
leaves only from the root. 
II. Hotton'ia. Water plant. Flowers in clusters; calyx divided nearly to the base; corolla- 
tube short ; capsule opening by 5 valves, which remain united at the top and base, 
so only shew as clefts in the side. 
III. Cyc'lamen. Flowers solitary ; corolla-tube bell-shaped, the lobes long and turned 
back, wing-like ; capsule opening at the top by 5 valves ; leaves only from the root ; 
root tuberous. 
IV. Chickweed Winter-green (Trientalis). Flowers in a terminal umbel, surrounded by a 
whorl of leaves ; parts of the flower usually in sevens ; capsule opening at the top by 
5 rolled-back valves which fall off. 
V. Loosestrife (Lysimach'ia). Flowers yellow, in clusters or solitary in the axils of the 
leaves ; capsule opening at the top by 5 or rarely by 2 valves, or indehiscent. 
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