Primula auricula English: Auricula; Mountain cowsli; Bear's ear.Family:
Primuloideae;
Primulaceae,
Primulales;
Ericidae; Asteridae; Angiospermsae; Plant
Genus:
Habitat: on basic rocks, mountain ranges.
Region: central Europe, Tatra Mountains.
Culture:
Primula auricula is depicted on the obverse side of the Austrian €0.05 euro coins.
BotanyType: herb: evergreen; perennial; 20 cm tall, 25 cm wide.
Leaves: obovate, ear-shaped; stalkless; with a cartilaginous edge; in a basal rosette; sometimes covered in a mealy white bloom.
Flowers: yellow; in clusters; on 5 to 20 cm long stalks.
TaxonomyA recent study split the species into two, Primula lutea and P. auricula.
The term auricula is also used collectively for plants which have been developed from a hybrid between P. auricula and P. hirsuta. Thousands of cultivars are available in a wide range of colours, and several societies are devoted to their cultivation and display.