The humble cowslip is a welcome sign of spring and indeed the Latin name means 'firstling of spring'.
This cheery little plant used mainly to be found growing in open pastures in rural settings, but can now often be seen in abundance on the landscaping at the side of motorways as it is frequently added to wild-flower mixes used in these types of situations. It is native to much of temperate Europe and Asia, but is absent from some parts of northwest Scotland.
It is part of a genus containing over 400 species, where almost all exhibit a phenomenon called heterostyly. This is when plants will either bear flowers with short styles and anthers at the mouth of the flower (thrum) or long styles and anthers down inside the flowers (pin). This duality promotes outcrossing, with pollinators (mainly bees) receiving pollen from one type in a position appropriate to depositing it on stigmas in the flowers of the other type.
The most popular common name, cowslip, may come from the old English for cow dung, as it was often found growing in cow pastures. Another common name is palsywort - the wort ending suggesting a former medicinal use. Today however it is a major constituent of a German herbal medicinal product which also contains extract of yellow gentian, black elder, common sorrel and vervain. Sinupret is indicated to improve the symptoms of acute inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Testing has shown that it does indeed show a broad anti-inflammatory impact as well as exhibiting anti-microbial activity. Primula veris is known to contain chemicals called saponins, which may be responsible for this beneficial biological activity.
Alison Foster
Oxford Botanic Garden
Data: 04.03.2013
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