Minnesota Wildflowers


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Oenothera rhombipetala (Fourpoint Evening Primrose)

Plant Info
Also known as: Rhombic Evening Primrose
Genus:Oenothera
Family:Onagraceae (Evening Primrose)
Life cycle:annual, biennial
Origin:native
Status:
  • State Special Concern
Habitat:sun; dry prairies, along roads
Bloom season:July - September
Plant height:1 to 3 feet
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower: Flower shape: 4-petals Cluster type: spike

[photo of flowers] Flowers are whorled around the stem at the top of the plant in a spike up to 12 inches long, blooming from the bottom of the spike up. Individual flowers are 1 to 2 inches across with 4 diamond-shaped petals and 8 long yellow stamens. The flowers bloom at night and close up in the morning. One plant may have several spikes, each at the end of branching stems.

Leaves: Leaf attachment: alternate Leaf type: simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are narrow and twisted with wavy edges, to 4 inches long and ¾ inch wide, with little or no leaf stem. Attachment is alternate and the leaves are often crowded on the stem. First year plants have a basal rosette of stemmed leaves that are broadest at the tip end.

Notes:

Fourpoint Evening Primrose is on the Special Concern list for Minnesota. At Wild River State Park they've made a serious effort to repopulate the prairie areas with this plant and it seems to be doing quite well.

Where to buy native seed and plants

Help support this site by buying seeds & plants from these vendors. Tell them we sent you!

  • Shooting Star Native Seeds - Native Prairie Grass and Wildflower Seeds
  • Landscape Alternatives - Distinctive Native Plants since 1986!
  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land
  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!
  • Out Back Nursery and Landscaping - Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Wild River State Park, Center City, MN July 2007 and June-July 2008

Comments

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

Posted by: Steve in Sherburne County
on: 2012-02-12 11:12:35

This was growing in a cleared lot for development on the east side of Sand Dunes State Park.

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