Cowslips

Cowslips growing on a bank beside the disused railway track in Lower Largo.

The cowslip, Primula veris was once widespread in meadows and pastures, especially in lime-rich soils. It is now much less abundant because of the effect of modern agricultural methods on grassland. According to legend, St Peter dropped the keys to Heaven and where they landed Cowslips grew (the flowers were thought to resemble a set of keys).