Primulaceae

Primulaceae, the primrose family, is a family of flowering plants in the order Ericales. It comprises mostly herbaceous perennials, with a few shrubs or tuberous species such as Cyclamen. The group is distributed mainly across the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with representatives extending into tropical montane zones and the southern continents.

Most members are herbaceous with simple leaves, often arranged alternately or in a basal rosette. Flowers are typically five-merous, frequently arranged in cymes or panicles. The corolla is usually tubular or funnel-shaped with five lobes, and the ovary is generally superior. Flowers are bisexual and, when pollinated, produce seeds in a capsule or, in some genera, a berry.

Taxonomically, Primulaceae has undergone substantial revision in light of molecular data. In modern systems, especially APG classifications, the family is treated as a broadly circumscribed Primulaceae (often called Primulaceae sensu lato) that includes several genera formerly placed in separate families such as Myrsinaceae. This reflects their close evolutionary relationships rather than historical morphological boundaries.

The best-known genera are Primula (primroses and polyanthus), Cyclamen (cyclamens), and Lysimachia (loosestrifes), with other genera including Anagallis, Samolus, and Dodecatheon. The family is popular in horticulture for ornamentals and groundcover plants, and several species have cultivated varieties widely grown in temperate gardens.