Cowslip
ExplorePlants
Cowslip
Primula veris
Cowslips are pretty flowers that bloom in spring. They have bright yellow petals and grow in clusters, making fields and meadows look cheerful and colorful.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Cowslip has bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers that cluster on one side of a sturdy stem, creating a nodding appearance. Its crinkled, dark green leaves form a low rosette at the base. This distinct arrangement makes it easily identifiable from other yellow wildflowers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyPrimulaceaeGenusPrimula
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
1
Interesting facts
Ancient cultures used cowslip flowers to make calming teas and even face creams!
Cowslips can glow under UV light, guiding buzzing bees directly to their sweet nectar!
Its old name, 'Key of Heaven,' comes from its flowers looking like a bunch of tiny keys!
Some people believed cowslips could help find hidden treasure, following ancient folklore!
Special abilities
Ability
Pollinator Pilot
Cowslip flowers have special markings only visible in UV light, which guide insects directly to their nectar for pollination.
Ability
Scent Summoner
Cowslip releases a gentle, sweet fragrance to attract bees and butterflies from far away to help with reproduction.
Ability
Ant Allies
Cowslip seeds have a fatty attachment called an elaiosome that ants love, helping them spread seeds widely.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Spread
- 10-20 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Watch
Ecological connections
pollinates
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Collects nectar and pollen, aiding reproduction.
pollinates
Honeybee
Apis mellifera
Gathers nectar and pollen from the vibrant flowers.
symbiotic with
European red ant
Myrmica rubra
Disperses seeds by carrying them to their nests for food.
eaten by
Roe deer
Capreolus capreolus
May graze on the leaves and young shoots.
Traits
Bell-Shaped Flower
Bell-shaped flowers possess petals fused or arranged to form a cup-like or campanulate structure resembling a bell.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Cluster Flower
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
Key FlowerKeyflowerPrimula veris
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick flowers without permission, and always wash your hands after touching plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Cowslip?
10-30 cm
How wide does Cowslip spread?
10-20 cm
How big are the flowers on Cowslip?
1-2 cm
When does Cowslip bloom?
Spring
Is Cowslip edible?
Yes
Is Cowslip toxic?
Mild
What is Cowslip's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Cowslip pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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