About Primula denticulata Sm.
Primula denticulata, commonly called the drumstick primula, is a flowering plant species belonging to the Primulaceae family. It is native to moist alpine regions across southern Xizang (China), Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, northern Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. This is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows up to 45 centimeters (18 inches) tall and wide. It forms rosettes of oval-shaped leaves, and produces sturdy stems that hold spherical umbels of flowers in late spring and early summer. While most often purple, flower colour can also be lavender, pink, or white. The specific epithet denticulata translates to 'small-toothed', which describes the serrated edges of the plant's leaves. Its common name, drumstick primula, comes from the spherical shape of its inflorescence that sits atop an upright stem. P. denticulata and its cultivars are popular garden plants that grow well in deep, moist soil in locations with full sun or partial shade, and can be grown from seed. This species has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Primula denticulata is known to contain the contact allergen primin, along with other quinoid compounds.
