WILDFLOWERS

PRIMROSE FAMILY

Primrose Primula vulgaris is a low-growing perennial (10-30cm tall) that has a preference for damp locations. A few patches of this plant can usually be found at the edge of Hainault Lake early in the year. The pale yellow flowers grow singly on short slender stems and the leaves form a basal rosette.

Cowslip Primula veris is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant found in the meadows during spring. It grows to a height of 25cm and has a rosette of basal leaves. The yellow flowers appear in clusters of 10–30 blooms together on a single stem.

Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis produces reddish, or occasionally blue, five-petalled flowers. The trailing stems have unstalked oval leaves. When the atmospheric pressure falls the flowers close and this is a sign that bad weather is approaching.

>>> Next: Heath Family