[4] Primula is a complex and varied genus, with a range of habitats from alpine slopes to boggy meadows.

Primula was known at least as early as the mediaeval herbalists, although first formally described as a genus by Linnaeus in 1753,[5] and later in 1754 in his Flora Anglica.

One of its earliest scientific treatments was that of Charles Darwin study of heterostyly in 1877 (The different forms of flowers on plants of the same species).

Species include:[13][14][15] The word primula is the Latin feminine diminutive of primus, meaning first (prime), applied to flowers that are among the first to open in spring.

[29] Although there are over 400 species of Primula, about 75% are found in the eastern Himalayan mountain chain and western China (Yunnan Province), constituting a centre of diversity.

[31] Primula species have been extensively cultivated and hybridised, mainly derived from P. elatior, P. juliae, P. veris and P. vulgaris.

The following hybrid varieties and cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-[34] [50] [1] [2] [3]