Primrose

March 9th, 2012

Latin:  Primula vulgaris

Irish:  Sabhaircín

This familiar native is a frequent resident on shady banks and in hedges and damp woods sends out its yellow flowers as early as April. “Primula”, the Latin name of the species translates as “first flower” and neatly describes Primrose often taken as the harbinger of the new season. 

Its leaves which tend to grow in a rosette are downy and whitish below and taper gently towards the base.  The flowers are solitary, 25-35mm across.

 

Picked when first opened, the flowers can be fermented with water and sugar to make a very pleasant and intoxicating wine and both the flowers and the leaves can be made into a syrup or a tea.

It can be seen in many parts of the course but is especially evident on both sides of the avenue into Castlewarden.

 

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