Bird-eye primrose (Primula farinosa, Sp. Pl.: 143 (1753))

Family: Primulaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 143 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Primula

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & C. Eurasia

Description

Bird-eye primrose, scientifically known as Primula farinosa, is a charming and delicate perennial plant found in subarctic and central Eurasian regions. Renowned for its captivating beauty, this species is an integral part of the Primulaceae family. Originating from the significant botanical work “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753 by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus, Bird-eye primrose has long captivated botanists and garden enthusiasts alike.

The habitat of Bird-eye primrose largely encompasses subarctic climates and central Eurasian territories, thriving in these cool and temperate environments. Its natural habitats often include moist meadows and alpine marshlands, where it can be spotted adorning the landscape with its vibrant clusters of flowers. The plant is uniquely adapted to such regions, with a specialized structure and physiology that allow it to flourish in areas where other flora might struggle.

Characterized by its powdery, farinose coating on the leaves and stems, which gives them a somewhat frosted appearance, Bird-eye primrose is visually distinct. The flowers themselves typically emerge in a delightful spectrum of pink to lilac hues, often exhibiting a contrasting yellow center that adds to their allure. These blossoms tend to cluster at the top of slender stems, forming a visually arresting display that attracts pollinators and endows natural settings with a burst of much-needed color.

In terms of cultivation and care, Bird-eye primrose prefers environments that mimic its natural habitats—cool, partly shaded areas with consistently moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. For garden enthusiasts looking to cultivate this botanical gem, it is essential to recreate these conditions to promote healthy growth and blooming.

Primula farinosa has not only been cherished for its ornamental value but also serves as an ecological contributor, supporting local biodiversity by sustaining pollinator populations. The bird-eye primrose’s delicate flowers and foliage, coupled with its historical botanical significance, make it a plant of both beauty and botanical importance.

Common Names

Deu: mehl-primel, mehlige schlüsselblume, mehlprimel
Dan: melet kodriver
Lav: bezdeligactina
Eng: bird-eye primrose, bird’s-eye primrose
Swe: majviva, blåviva
Pol: pierwiosnka omaczona
Fra: primevère farineuse
Por: prímula
Nob: melnøkleblom
Nno: mjølnøkleblom
Cym: briallen flodiog, briallu blodiog
En: Bird-eye primrose, Bird’s-eye Primrose
Bg: Розова иглика
Zh: 粉报春
Kw: Lagas edhen
Cs: Prvosenka pomoučená
Da: Melet Kodriver
Nl: Melige Sleutelbloem
Et: Pääsusilm
Fi: Jauhoesikko
Fr: Primevère farineuse
De: Mehlprimel, Mehl-Primel, Mehlige Schlüsselblume
Hu: Lisztes kankalin
Is: Gefnarlykill
It: Primula farinosa
Lv: Bezdelīgactiņa, Bezdeligactina
Lt: Raktažolė pelenėlė
Nb: Melnøkleblom
Nn: Mjølnøkleblom
Fa: پریمولا فارینوسا
Pl: Pierwiosnek omączony, Pierwiosnka omaczona
Pt: Prímula
Ru: Первоцвет мучнистый
Sk: Prvosienka pomúčená
Es: Moknati jeglič
Sv: Majviva, Blåviva
Cy: Briallen flodiog, Briallu Blodiog

Synonyms

• Primula gigantea (Lehm.)
• Primula davurica (Lehm.)
• Primula farinosa var. stricta (Wahlenb.)
• Primula farinosa var. pygmaea (Gaudin)
• Primula warei (Stein)
• Primula farinosa subvar. albiflora (Druce)
• Cankrienia farinosa ((L.) Zoll.)
• Primula lepida (Duby)
• Primula farinosa var. chrysophylla (Trautv. & C.A.Mey.)
• Androsace farinosa ((L.) Spreng.)
• Primula farinosa var. koreana (T.Yamaz.)
• Primula exaltata (Lehm.)
• Primula farinosa f. exscapa (Wahlenb.)
• Primula farinosa var. genuina (Pax)
• Primula farinosa subsp. alpigena (O.Schwarz)
• Primula undulata (Fisch. ex Rchb.)
• Aleuritia farinosa subsp. alpigena ((O.Schwarz) Soják)
• Primula farinosa subsp. xanthophylla ((Trautv. & C.A.Mey.) Kitag.)
• Primula farinosa f. nivea ((H.Hara) T.Yamaz.)
• Primula modesta f. nivea (H.Hara)
• Aleuritia farinosa ((L.) Opiz)
• Primula farinosa var. americana (Torr.)
• Primula modesta f. alba (H.Hara)
• Primula farinosa var. commutata (Behm)
• Primula farinosa f. alba ((H.Hara) T.Yamaz.)
• Primula farinosa var. nana (E.S.Arnold & A.J.Richards)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Other

Taken Jun 12, 2021 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 5, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Pauline LAHAYE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Flower

Taken Apr 12, 2021 by Lisa Pinnell (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Daniela Monteverdi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Daniela Monteverdi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2016 by Manuel Ortiz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2017 by Marcel Ambühl (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 4, 2006 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Kampf Robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2006 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 10, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2019 by lisouille_2 (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2020 by Nicola Loher (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2022 by Alain rivière (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by W Gunda (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 20, 2018 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2002 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 21, 2021 by Kampf Robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7931979)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30005260-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Primula farinosa L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 2