Cowslip  (Primula veris)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

Although it suffered a dramatic decline between 1930 and 1980 (3), the cowslip is fairly widespread throughout Britain, but is absent from most of Scotland. This species is found in Europe to the north of the Alps, and other subspecies are found in the rest of Europe and western Asia (2).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

Found in well-drained, herb-rich grasslands, and may occasionally occur in scrub or woodland edges or rides, on seasonally flooded areas, and on calcareous cliffs (3).

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