auricula

Primula auricula
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Ericales Family: Primulaceae Genus: Primula Species: P. auricula
Binomial name
Primula auricula L.

Primula auricula, often known as Auricula or bear's ear (from the shape of its leaves), is a species of primrose that grows on basic rocks in the mountain ranges of central Europe, including the western Alps, Jura, the Vosges, the Black Forest and the Tatra mountains. The leaves are obovate and stalkless, with a cartilaginous edge, all growing in a basal rosette. The yellow flowers grow in clusters on 5-20 cm long stalks.

A recent study split the species into two, Primula lutea and P. auricula, with the former being found further south and east (Apennines, Carpathians, Balkans, and the southern and eastern Alps). Prior to this study, P. lutea had been considered synonymous with P. auricula. Other synonyms of P. auricula include P. balbisii and P. ciliata.

Primula auricula is on the obverse side of Austrian € 0.05 euro coins.

References

• Zhang, L-B., & J. W. Kadereit (2004): Classification of Primula sect. Auricula (Primulaceae) based on two molecular data sets (ITS, AFLPs), morphology and geographical distribution. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 146: 1–26.
• Zhang, L-B. & J. W. Kadereit (2005): Typification and synonymization in Primula sect. Auricula (Primulaceae). Taxon 54 (3): 775–788.

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