Auricula (Primula auricula, Sp. pl. 1:143. 1753)

Family: Primulaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:143. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Primula

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. France to W. Alps, Carpathians

Description

Auricula, scientifically known as Primula auricula, is a captivating member of the Primulaceae family. This enchanting plant was first documented in Carl Linnaeus’s seminal work, “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753.

A native to the mountainous regions of Europe, Auricula thrives particularly well from Eastern France to the Western Alps and extends its range to the Carpathians. These hardy perennials are celebrated for their vibrant and captivating blooms, which have made them a beloved choice among gardeners and botanists alike.

Primula auricula stands out with its rosettes of leathery, evergreen leaves and striking, often two-toned, flowers that bloom in a variety of colors, including yellows, reds, purples, and blues. The flowers commonly exhibit a sweet, pleasant fragrance, enhancing their appeal.

In its natural habitat, Auricula tends to grow in rocky terrains and alpine meadows, preferring well-drained soils and cooler climates. These adaptable plants are relatively easy to care for, provided they are not subjected to overly wet conditions. Gardeners prize Auriculas for their resilience and their ability to bring a touch of alpine beauty to rockeries, borders, and container gardens.

Throughout history, Auricula has been cultivated and cherished not only for its aesthetic qualities but also for its symbolic significance in various cultures, often representing enchantment and charm. As such, Primula auricula remains a quintessential choice for horticultural enthusiasts looking to add a splash of color and a sense of timeless elegance to their gardens.

Common Names

Deu: alpen-aurikel, öhrchen-schlüsselblume, aurikel
Eng: auricula, bear’s-ear, dusty-miller, garden auricula
Fra: auricule
Swe: vildaurikel, aurikel
Cym: briallen clust yr arth
En: Auricula, Bear’s-ear, Garden auricula, Dusty-miller, Auricula C. E. Brown, Bear Ears, Bears Ears, Cowslip, Mountain cowslip, Primrose, Bear’s Ear
Bg: Градинска иглика
Zh: 耳叶报春
Kw: Skovarn ors
Cs: Prvosenka lysá
Fi: Kultaesikko
Fr: Auricule, Primevère de Balbis
De: Alpen-Aurikel, Öhrchen-Schlüsselblume, Aurikel
Hu: Cifra kankalin
Is: Mörtulykill
Ga: Lus na mbanríon
It: Primula orecchia d’orso, Primula di Balbis
Kk: Ayuqulaq, Аюқұлақ, ايۋقۇلاق
No: Aurikel
Os: Арсыхъус
Fa: پامچال جویباری
Pl: Pierwiosnek łyszczak
Ru: Первоцвет ушковидный
Sk: Prvosienka holá
Sv: Vildaurikel, Aurikel
Uz: Avrikula
Cy: Briallen clust yr arth

Synonyms

• Primula hungarica (Borbás)
• Primula balbisii subsp. hungarica ((Borbás) Li Bing Zhang)
• Auricula-ursi auricula subsp. hungarica ((Borbás) Soják)
• Primula auricula f. nuda ((Widmer) Lüdi)
• Aretia auriculata ((L.) Link)
• Primula auricula f. marginata ((Stein ex Kolb) Lüdi)
• Auricula-ursi auricula ((L.) Soják)
• Primula balbisii (Lehm.)
• Primula auricula var. bauhinii (Beck)
• Primula auricula f. exscapa (Widmer)
• Primula auricula var. albocincta (Widmer)
• Primula auricula var. nuda (Widmer)
• Primula auricula var. serratifolia ((Rochel ex Pax) Mocsáry)
• Primula auricula var. balbisii ((Lehm.) Beck)
• Primula auricula var. hungarica ((Borbás) Mocsáry)
• Primula auricula subsp. bauhinii ((Beck) Lüdi)
• Auricula hortensis (Spach)
• Primula auricula subsp. serratifolia ((Rochel ex Pax) Jáv.)
• Primula ciliata (Moretti)
• Primula nivea (Steud.)
• Primula auricula subsp. ciliata ((W.D.J.Koch) Lüdi)
• Primula auricula f. serratifolia (Rochel ex Pax)
• Primula auricula subsp. hungarica ((Borbás) Soó)
• Primula bellunensis (Mottet)
• Primula auricula var. marginata (Stein ex Kolb)
• Primula illibata (Gand.)
• Primula dolomitis (Baker)
• Primula auricula subsp. balbisii ((Lehm.) Nyman)
• Primula serratifolia (Gand.)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Italy (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jun 21, 2019 by Petra Schadauer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2019 by Alan Martin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2010 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Eloi Tisserant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 31, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 29, 2019 by Kozlovic Crt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2019 by Kozlovic Crt (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2020 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2021 by Marina R (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2010 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Sylvain Delépine (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Andrine FAURE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2019 by Jugoslav Jovanović (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2018 by Martin Allan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Barbara NICOLAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Barbara NICOLAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Barbara NICOLAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 11, 2021 by Bogdan Nesic (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7974503)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:701581-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Primula auricula L.)

Specifications

Growth