Common Evening Primrose

Common Name: Common Evening Primrose

Specific Name: Oenothera biennis

Known Occurrence at Taylor Point:

Map Areas: Beach 1A

Category: Native, Herbaceous Plant

Ecological Considerations:

Oenothera biennis, commonly known as Common Evening Primrose, is a biennial, herbaceous plant distinguished by the fact that its bright yellow flowers remain partially to fully closed during the day and open in the evening. The flowers will remain open longer on cloudy days. Common Evening Primrose blooms from June to October. Its flowers have four petals, are fragrant with a mild lemony scent, and usually last only one to two days. Each flower is about 1 inch across when fully open.

The stem of Common Evening Primrose is erect and sometimes branched near the top. It usually has one central stem with alternate leaves, but sometimes, particularly when it is growing in open areas, Common Evening Primrose will produce multiple stems, giving it a bushy appearance. The plant can grow to 7′ tall, although it is often shorter. Its basal leaves, which form a rosette, are from 3 to as much as 10 inches long. Its alternate, lanceolate-shaped leaves are shallowly toothed and wavey at the edges. The leaves are usually hairy. The plant has a fleshy taproot.

Common evening-primrose grows in dry open fields, along roadsides, and in open woods, preferring well-drained soils and full sun. These plants grow easily from seed. The seeds are ripe when the seed capsule begins to split open, usually in October. The long narrow seedpods split open from the top to release many tiny, irregular brown seeds. These seeds are small enough to be dispersed by the wind, and can remain viable in the soil for more than 70 years.

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Key Issues Regarding its Ecology:

Associated Ecological Benefits:

Bumble bees and honey bees seek nectar and collect pollen from Common Evening Primrose. Hummingbirds also are attracted to the aromatic nectar of Common Evening Primrose. The hummingbirds also eat insects found on the flowers.

The caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage of Common Evening Primrose, as do several beetle species. Goldfinches are known to feed on the plant’s seeds and the plant’s seed capsules also provide food for other birds during the winter months. It is thought that the plants are pollinated by night-visiting hawk moths, which feed on their nectar.

Availability of Locally Sourced Seeds and Plants:

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