text: Names The common name cowslip may derive from the old English for cow dung, probably because the plant was often found growing amongst the manure in cow pastures. An alternative derivation simply refers to slippery or boggy ground; again, a typical habitat for this plant. The name "cowslop" derived from Old English still exists in some dialects, but the politer-sounding cowslip became standard in the 16th century.
  The species name veris ('of spring', referring to the season) is the genitive case form of Latin  ('spring'). However, primrose P. vulgaris, flowers earlier, from December to May in the British Isles.
  Other historical common names include cuy lippe, herb peter, paigle or pagil, peggle, key flower, key of heaven, fairy cups, petty mulleins, crewel, buckles, palsywort, and plumrocks.
  Description
  Primula veris is a variable evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial plant growing to  tall and broad, with a rosette of leaves 5–15 cm long and 2–6 cm broad. The deep yellow flowers are produced in spring, in clusters of 10–30 blooms together on a single stem. Each flower is 9–15 mm broad.  Red- and orange-flowered plants occur rarely but can be locally widespread in areas where coloured primula hybrids bloom at the same time as the native cowslip, enabling cross-pollination.
  Distribution and habitat
  The cowslip is frequently found on more open ground than the primrose, including open fields, meadows, coastal dunes, and clifftops.