Primula macrophylla PFAF Plant Database

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Primula macrophylla - D.Don.

Common Name

Family

Primulaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Grassy mountain slopes, rock crevices, wet meadows and marshes at elevations of 4000 - 5200 metres[266]..

Range

E. Asia - Himalayas from Afghanistan to China.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Primula macrophylla is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 10in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Habitats
Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antiinflammatory; Febrifuge.

The entire plant is used in Tibetan medicine, it is said to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency[241]. Antidiarrhetic, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge, it is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, inflammation of the liver, gall bladder, stomach and intestines[241]. It is especially used for children with high fever and diarrhoea[241].

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details
A plant of high alpine areas, it is of difficult cultivation in Britain[200]. In the wild it experiences wet summers, relatively dry autumns and long winters under a blanket of snow that protects the bulb-like resting bud[200]. It is best to give the plants a deep, well-drained soil in a sunny position with the added protection of a pane of glass[200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[133]. Sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame[1]. Germination is inhibited by temperatures above 20°c[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in autumn. This is best done every other year[200].

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Expert comment

Author
D.Don.

Botanical References
200266

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[133]Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1.

Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[241]Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants

A nice little pocket guide to the subject with photographs of 95 species and brief comments on their uses.

[266] Flora of China

On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

Readers comment

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