The oxlip is a herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial plant growing to 30 cm (12 in) tall by 25 cm (10 in) broad, with a rosette of leaves 5–15 cm long and 2–6 cm broad. It produces light yellow flowers in spring, in clusters of 10-30 together on a single stem 10–30 cm (4–12 in) tall, each flower 9–15 mm broad.
One leaf of primrose replenishes the body's daily need for vitamin C, which makes it an indispensable remedy for exhaustion and anemia. Flower arrows were eaten, diaphoretic and soothing decoctions, ointments for eczema were prepared from leaves and flowers; scurvy was treated with dry leaf powder; the roots boiled in milk were used to treat consumption and fever.
