The oxlip is a low growing herbaceous perennial plant of the primrose family, with a rosette of leaves. The pale yellow flowers are produced in the spring; they are in clusters of 10-30 together on a single stem 10-30 cm tall. Its habitat is wet meadows and deciduous forests.
The oxlip is similar to the cowslip (Primula veris) which has egg yolk yellow flowers with deep orange markings. The cowslip favors dry locations.