Primroses grow mostly under trees and start flowering in March, before the new leaves of deciduous trees develop.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUxfRrdr0hkaU_Au3virpxQQUPxkeAH3-qOVOSxqq6fG9nSd-bDIGzjcTfCwSP2Sbh4FPKHw1DgJxAVFo16CHrhDK7Kt_-g2p4H-Msj5ehpmR_AM1DS1TZRY16r7wcGVE3vtagIwADJNX/s1600/primula+veris-114760a-l-600ss-8.jpg)
This is the very first primrose of this year, a common Cowslip
(Primula veris) with small, dark yellow flowers. It grew all alone in a very grey and brown chestnut-wood, and it looked quite out of place and out of season.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZ3IyreXTt36PUs98SXZWd8PL-JqLY-tRsbsvKmMAh1qls1BIUKWKuRUaD6KAR8qapdvpv-Ie69Ns2uoh5sybspM4fFk6kgbY8gzza4kr5rv5IOEaVRO3F4gk-gY03fP0uAvUhbdfKDRU/s1600/primula+vulgaris%252C+bronbos+%252813%2529b-600s-8.jpg)
Often you find primroses in larger groups, as here. You notice some dark yellow Cowslips and a lot of pale Common Primroses
(Primula vulgaris).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3PrHgYnz1_gBoFaHf3mdTxH7hXwF2XLGaV1mMXd8jV3TxS1b76yknNaMZtYvQ1sCiEyHMdvK9tyHhTMQPphpVhDynW_2efk4GJ220mA1_JNFf_WVZ1C6abKmv5DAyQ34m8jr4jSlg321/s1600/primula+vulgaris+%25289%2529a-600s-8.jpg)
The flowers of the Common Primrose are larger and have shorter and less upright stems.All primroses have clear green, cockled leaves.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc_Ds2jrRDGY1rXUC3wJPBS8Xh20jgUKQDUPMM0-Lt7sg3jovjeaPRzq8g2xsRmRSSEdBXlX3YHhgfaRiEj_qhnWxEVSwdJlYhsc0RIyiZy_KSHyTOPKZQdNv5YxorMp2auMkDcMqEUQo/s1600/primula+elatior+%25285%2529a-600-8.jpg)
Intermediate forms between the two species are quite common. Here you see one.