Primula obconica is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to China. It is a short-lived evergreen perennial growing to 40cm (20inches) tall by 25cm (10inches) broad, with rosettes of coarse, heart-shaped leaves, and thick stalks bearing umbels of lavender flowers in late winter and early spring.[1]
The specific epithet obconica means "inverted cone", referring to the convex flowers.
This is a tender plant which us usually grown annually as a houseplant or in a cool greenhouse. Numerous cultivars have been developed, of which 'Libre Magenta'[2] has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3]
The hairs on the leaves may cause allergic reactions.[4]