Oxlip

THE OXLIP, Primula elatio

ALTHOUGH the primrose, the cowslip, and the oxlip are beyond all reasonable doubt variations of one typical plant, it is convenient to follow the books in regarding them as three distinct species. Between the common primrose and the other two there is an obvious difference in the disposition of the flowers--those of the first appearing singly from amongst the leaves; those of the cowslip and oxlip appearing in compact clusters or umbels on the summit of a common stem which rises above the leaves. This difference, though obvious and a reason for accepted specific distinctions, is after all one of degree only, and not of kind, for when the primrose is carefully examined, it will be found that each separate flower is on a long peduncle that springs from a common stalk which is simply too short to be seen until searched for, but is then easily discovered. Linnaeus had noted all this, and regarded the three plants as varieties of one common type. But succeeding botanists rejected his view, and thus they were made to rank as species. Now, however, the view of Linnaeus once more prevails, and we find no difficulty in accepting it. Occasionally a common primrose will assume the cowslip and oxlip mode of flowering, the common stem rising above the leaves and displaying all the flowers as members of an umbel. And on the other hand, oxlips and cowslips will occasionally produce short stems with long peduncles, so that the flowers appear singly. In the garden the variations that occur are of the most interesting nature, and instructively illustrate the speculations of the botanists.

The primrose is a hedgebank flower, loving woods, partial shade, and a moist soil. The cowslip is a pasture flower, loving a somewhat dry soil and full exposure. It has small and comparatively unattractive flowers, which, however, are capable of remarkable modifications when taken in hand by the florist, for the cowslip doubtless is the parent of the polyanthus, and some intermediate forms that find favour in gardens. The oxlip is very closely allied to the cowslip, but differs in having a broader and flatter flower. As a wilding it is usually met with in more luxuriant pastures than the cowslip; it loves moisture, but does not thrive in the shade, where the primrose is usually at home. As a garden plant it requires a rich soil, and it suffers much if very dry at the root for any length of time in high summer. Consequently frame culture suits the better kinds more thoroughly than border culture, because frame plants obtain more constant attention than those in borders, and the regular supplies of water through the summer tend very much to insure the rich and abundant bloom that renders these plants so delightful in the spring.