# fragrant evening primrose (*Oenothera cespitosa*) The fragrant evening primrose is a lovely flower that blooms in the evening. It has bright yellow petals and a sweet smell that attracts nighttime pollinators like moths. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![fragrant evening primrose](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Oenothera_caespitosa_var_marginata_3.jpg&width=800) Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oenothera_caespitosa_var_marginata_3.jpg) ## Appearance The fragrant evening primrose is a low-growing plant with large, bowl-shaped flowers that open in the evening. Its showy blooms are typically pure white, sometimes fading to a delicate pink by morning, and feature prominent yellow stamens. It forms a compact rosette close to the ground. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Myrtales - **Family:** Onagraceae - **Genus:** Oenothera ## Interesting facts - Even its taproots can be eaten, tasting a bit like parsnips or sweet potatoes! - Indigenous people once used parts of this plant for both food and traditional medicines. - Its beautiful white flowers often turn a soft pink by morning after blooming all night long! - The large, fuzzy buds look like tiny green lanterns before they magically unfurl into flowers! ## Special abilities - **Nighttime Beacon:** Fragrant evening primrose can open its large flowers within minutes at dusk to attract night-flying pollinators with its bright display. - **Scent Signal:** It has a powerful, sweet fragrance that travels far in the evening air, guiding nocturnal insects to its blossoms for nectar. - **Drought Survivor:** Fragrant evening primrose has a deep, thick taproot that helps it reach deep water sources and store nutrients in dry, rocky soils. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 5-20 cm - **Spread:** 20-40 cm - **Flower Size:** 4-7 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** White-lined sphinx moth (*Hyles lineata*) — attracted to its strong night scent - **Pollinates:** Tobacco hornworm moth (*Manduca sexta*) — visits flowers at night for nectar - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — deer may browse on its leaves ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Night Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/night-blooming): Night blooming plants open their flowers after sunset, often to attract nocturnal pollinators with their scent and appearance. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look, but don't pick flowers without asking an adult first. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify fragrant evening primrose? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is fragrant evening primrose? 5-20 cm ### How wide does fragrant evening primrose spread? 20-40 cm ### How big are the flowers on fragrant evening primrose? 4-7 cm ### When does fragrant evening primrose bloom? Spring to fall ### Is fragrant evening primrose edible? Yes ### Is fragrant evening primrose toxic? None ### What is fragrant evening primrose's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Colorado National Monument Visitor Center Complex](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colorado-national-monument-visitor-center-complex) — Colorado, US · National Park - [Telluride Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/telluride-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bighorn-canyon-national-recreation-area) — Montana, US · National Park - [Enchanted Floral Gardens of Kula](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/enchanted-floral-gardens-of-kula) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Fossil Lake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fossil-lake) — Oregon, US · Natural Landmark - [Lehman Orchard and Aqueduct](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lehman-orchard-and-aqueduct) — Nevada, US · Historic District [View all places to see fragrant evening primrose](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/fragrant-evening-primrose) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Fragrant Evening Primrose: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fragrant-evening-primrose)