Minnesota Wildflowers


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Oenothera biennis (Common Evening Primrose)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:Oenothera
Family:Onagraceae (Evening Primrose)
Life cycle:biennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; fields, along roads, edges of woods, edges of streams
Bloom season:July - October
Plant height:2 to 6 feet
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

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Detailed Information

Flower: 4-petals

[photo of flower] Flowers are usually about 1 inch across but are occasionally up to twice that size; they cluster around the ends of the main stems, usually only a few are open at a time. Each flower has 4 bright or pale yellow heart-shaped petals and several prominent stamens protruding from the center. The flowers open in the evening and close up during the day but may remain open longer on cloudy days.

Leaves and stem: alternate simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are up to 8 inches long and 2 inches wide, tapering to a point at the tip, with no leaf stem. They are slightly rough to the touch, can have smooth edges or small teeth, the edges are often somewhat wavy, and they often fold up some from the prominent central vein. The color is olive or light green and there are often small leaves sprouting from the leaf axils.

[photo of stem] The stem is reddish or light green and covered in white hairs.

Notes:

Common Evening Primrose can become quite bushy when it's out in the open. It doesn't seem too particular about where it grows—I've seen it growing in moist woods as well as dry fields.

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Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN and Pioneer Park, Blaine, MN, July 2006 and July-August 2007

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Mary P.
on: 2008-06-08 17:42:38

Thanks, you've helped me to put a name to another wildflower that I took a picture of last year by a pond in Waite Park in Stearns County.

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