Re: Primroses

Thanks for setting me straight, Frank.  What I have in my garden are
definitely Evening Primrose, and not Primrose.  I knew that every picture I
saw of Primroses never looked like what I had in my patch.

Marie
Z5
W Massachusetts
-----Original Message-----
From: FrankCooper <gentian@pdnt.com>
To: perennials@mallorn.com <perennials@mallorn.com>
Date: Monday, June 15, 1998 5:38 AM
Subject: Primroses


>If anyone is referring to Oenothera (Evening Primrose), please refer it to
>as such.  Evening primrose is not related to the Primrose family.  It is
>related to Epilobium (fireweed) and fuchsias.    Primrose is usually only
>used in reference to Primula acaulis (vulgaris)  Sometimes Primula
>polyantus, the oxlip, and the cowslip (cow-slip not cows-lip) are referred
>to as primroses to the exclusion of all other primulas.
>
>
>This is a very common misconception.  This illustrates the problem with
>common names.  It is not just that people use a common name to refer to a
>species, but a common characteristic  is used as a reference to otherwise
>dissimilar plants.  An example would be honeysuckle is used to refer to
>Azaleas in some areas because of their fragrance.  Common names are useful
>as in the primrose case as long as the "evening" is added.
>
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