Description
Primula lactucoides (also called Milkweed Primrose, among many other common names) is a perennial flowering plant native to the Himalayas, from Kashmir to Bhutan. It has a basal rosette of leaves and a single stem with a terminal umbel of yellow flowers. It is found in moist meadows, grasslands, and open forests.
Uses & Benefits
Primula lactucoides is a popular ornamental plant, and is often used in gardens and flower beds. It is also used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments, such as coughs, colds, and fever.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Primula lactucoides is a bright yellow, star-shaped bloom with a yellow-green center. The seed is a small, round, black seed. The seedlings are small, green, and have a single, oval-shaped leaf.
Cultivation and Propagation
Primula lactucoides is a perennial plant that is easy to cultivate and propagate. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and partial shade. Propagation can be done by seed or division of the rootstock. Seeds should be sown in a cold frame in early spring and the seedlings transplanted when large enough to handle. Division of the rootstock can be done in spring or autumn.
Where to Find Primula lactucoides
Primula lactucoides is found in China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Xizang), at altitudes of 2000-4000 m.