Tuber roundish, striated. Leaves ivy-shaped or rounded, attractively patterned. Flower dark pink, pink or white, darker at the base, petals twisted, fragrant.
Winter/spring flowering.
E Mediterranean
Extensive breeding and selection, mostly in the late 19th century in the UK and Holland, has resulted in numerous cultivars based on this species in many colours and sizes (including large tetraploids), also with variously doubled, fringed and frilled or striped petals and attractive perfume. There are also cultivars selected for their attractive leaf patterning.
This is the commonly supplied commercial pot plant available in nurseries and florists. Recent breeding has also used C. coum and other species.
Source: (1997). Primulaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
