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Common evening-primrose

How to identify Common evening-primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Common evening-primrose, also known as King's cure-all, German rampion

Common evening-primrose is a sturdy biennial plant that stands erect with a height typically ranging from 3 to 5 feet (approximately 90 to 150 cm). It features a rosette of lance-shaped leaves at the base and spirally arranged on the stem, with a furry texture. The striking yellow flowers, which bloom at dusk and close by morning, are about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) in diameter with a cross-shaped arrangement of four petals. After flowering, common evening-primrose produces a narrow capsule, up to 1.5 inches (around 4 cm) long, containing up to 100 seeds. The entire plant dies post seed-setting.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Biennial, Perennial, Annual

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Common evening-primrose

1

Sturdy plant, 3-5 feet tall (90-150 cm), with lance-shaped leaves in rosette and on stem.

2

Striking yellow flowers, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) wide, closing by morning, with cross-shaped petals.

3

Hairy, reddish-green upright stem, 3-5 feet tall (90-150 cm), with spirally arranged leaves.

4

Elliptic to lance-shaped leaves, 4-8 inches long (10-20 cm), light green, wavy-toothed margin.

5

Distinctive evening blooming pattern, lemon-yellow bowl-shaped flowers, closure in daytime heat.

Common evening-primroseCommon evening-primroseCommon evening-primroseCommon evening-primroseCommon evening-primrose

Detailed Traits of Common evening-primrose

Leaf Features

The leaves of common evening-primrose are elliptic to lance-shaped, measuring 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) wide. They exhibit a light green to olive green coloration with a wavy-toothed margin. The leaves are stalkless, forming a basal rosette in the first year. They have a shallow-toothed surface and distinctive vein patterns, enhancing their lanceolate, elongated form.

Leaf Shape

Lanceolate ,
Oblanceolate ,
Elliptic ,
Obovate

Common evening-primrose Leaf Shape image
Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Base

Attenuate

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Common evening-primrose Leaf Arrangement image
Leaf Apex

Acute

Leaf Margin

Serrate

Common evening-primrose Leaf Margin image
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Flower Features

Common evening-primrose flowers are characterized by their pale lemon-yellow, bowl-shaped petals, each measuring 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across. These blossoms feature four petals, four sepals, eight stamens, and a prominent style with a cross-shaped stigma. Arranged in a multi-flowered terminal panicle, these flowers bloom in the evening and stay open through the morning, closing in the heat of the day. This unique blooming pattern and appearance make them easily recognizable.

Common evening-primrose Flower imageCommon evening-primrose Flower image
Corolla Type

Rosaceous

Inflorescence Type

Spike

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Stem Features

The stem of common evening-primrose is upright, hairy, and reddish-green, reaching heights of 3-5 feet (90-150 cm). It features a robust structure with multiple stems possible, showcasing spirally arranged leaves. The texture is notably hairy, providing a distinct tactile quality. The stem's color varies from reddish hues to green and is characterized by its rigidity and firmness. Branching occurs, culminating in a standout summer to fall bloom. These key features facilitate the plant's identification.

Common evening-primrose Stem image
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Fruit Features

Common evening-primrose Fruit image
Fruit Type

Capsule

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
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Common evening-primrose and Their Similar Plants

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Lindheimer's beeblossom vs. Common evening-primrose: What's The Difference?
Lindheimer's beeblossom (Oenothera lindheimeri) is a perennial plant native to the Louisiana and Texas regions of the United States. The Latin name for this species was formerly Gaura lindheimeri. Lindheimer's beeblossom is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in pots or flower beds. The plant grows well in full sunlight and can withstand drought conditions.
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Pinkladies vs. Common evening-primrose: What's The Difference?
Pinkladies natives to the grasslands in the Central United States but spread outside its native states quickly. Today, it has been naturalized in a total of 28 states in the US and spreading as far south as Chihuahua and Coahuila in Mexico. Pinkladies is commonly used as an ornamental ground cover plant but escaped out from the gardens quickly.
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Narrowleaf evening primrose vs. Common evening-primrose: What's The Difference?
Narrowleaf evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa) is a flowering plant native to North America. The narrowleaf evening primrose grows in woodland areas and dry rocky soils and sometimes cultivated as ornamental plants. The taxonomy of this species is controversial in the scientific community, they can interbreed freely with many other evening primroses.
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Biennial Gaura vs. Common evening-primrose: What's The Difference?
Some may not appreciate the weedy appearance of biennial Gaura, but this flower has its place in building prairies. This biennial blooms late in the season, providing nectar for pollinators. It self-seeds easily due to its slender, bending stems that bob in the wind.
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Lindheimer's beeblossom 'Siskiyou Pink' vs. Common evening-primrose: What's The Difference?
Lindheimer's beeblossom 'Siskiyou Pink' boasts delicate, star-shaped pink blossoms towering on slender stalks, rising above narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Thriving in well-drained soils under full sun, this hardy perennial exhibits a bushy clump-forming habit, making it an eye-catching addition to garden borders. Its drought resistance is a testament to lindheimer's beeblossom 'Siskiyou Pink''s adaptability to warm, arid environments, reflecting its prairie origins.
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Key Facts About Common evening-primrose

Attributes of Common evening-primrose
Lifespan
Biennial, Perennial, Annual
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
30 cm to 2 m
Spread
60 cm to 90 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
2.5 cm to 5 cm
Flower Color
Yellow
Gold
Fruit Color
Green
Yellow
Gold
Stem Color
Green
Red
Yellow
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Common evening-primrose

Species
Common evening-primrose (Oenothera biennis)
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Distribution Map of Common evening-primrose

Common evening-primrose is native to eastern Canada through central Mexico. It has been widely introduced across Europe and Russia, Scandanavia and Asia. It is also present in parts of Africa and South America. It prefers disturbed areas including dunes, cultivated fields, prairies, and other grassy places.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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