Minnesota Wildflowers


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Oenothera nuttallii (Nuttall's Evening Primrose)

Plant Info
Also known as: White-stemmed Evening Primrose
Genus:Oenothera
Family:Onagraceae (Evening Primrose)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:sun; dry; sandy soil, prairies
Bloom season:June - August
Plant height:1 to 3 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 1 to 2 inches across, 4 white notched petals with a spot of pale yellow at the base of each petal. There are several long yellow stamens. The flower stalk is pinkish. One plant can have several flowers, with 1 to a few at the end of branching stems. The flowers open in the evening and close up in the morning.

Leaves: alternate simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are very narrow with a pointed tip and no leaf stem, alternately attached. The leaves along the main stem are up to 3 inches long and ¼ inch wide with tiny widely-spaced teeth; they are rather shorter on the branches and teeth aren't visible. The stem is smooth and nearly white.

Notes:

The flower photos posted here were taken early in the morning. They were starting to close before 9am and were completely closed well before noon. The stems of Nuttall's Evening Primrose are said to be covered in a peeling white bark, though I did not notice this myself. The stems are nearly white, though.

Where to buy native seed and plants

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  • Shooting Star Native Seeds - Native Prairie Grass and Wildflower Seeds
  • 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 Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN July 2008

Comments

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