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Primula auricula
Cromolithograph, 31.5 x 24 cm, by Abraham Jacobus Wendel, 1868


Primula auricula, commonly referred to as auricula, mountain cowslip, or bear’s ear, is depicted here with botanical accuracy and clarity by Wendel. is a perennial native to the alpine regions of central Europe, typically found in rocky, calcareous soils. It forms dense rosettes of thick, evergreen leaves, often with a powdery coating. Flowering stems emerge in spring, bearing clusters of flat-faced, fragrant flowers with a distinct central eye. Natural and cultivated forms show wide variation in colour, from soft yellow to deep purples, often with ornamental farina. Long valued in horticulture, the species was especially popular in auricula theatres for its striking form and pigmentation.