# Scarlet Beeblossom (*oenothera suffrutescens*)

The Scarlet Beeblossom is a bright red flower that attracts many pollinators! Its vibrant color can brighten up any garden or field.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Snaps:** 3
- **Habitat:** They grow in sunny fields, meadows, and along roadsides.
- **Also known as:** Red Evening Primrose, Scarlet Primrose

![Scarlet Beeblossom](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/2016.04.24_07.08.44_IMG_5023_-_Flickr_-_andrey_zharkikh.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2016.04.24_07.08.44_IMG_5023_-_Flickr_-_andrey_zharkikh.jpg)

## Appearance

The Scarlet Beeblossom has slender, upright stems with narrow, green leaves. Its vivid, four-petaled flowers open in a striking scarlet-orange, often fading to a rosy pink as they age, making them distinct from common yellow evening primroses.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Myrtales
- **Family:** Onagraceae
- **Genus:** Oenothera

## Interesting facts

- Indigenous peoples traditionally ate the roots and leaves, and also used them as medicine!
- Its scientific name, Oenothera, amazingly means "donkey catcher" in ancient Greek!
- Some call it "Firewheel Flower" because its petals spread out like a spinning fiery wheel!
- The brilliant flowers can signal to pollinators that a tasty nectar treat awaits them inside!

## Special abilities

- **Evening Bloomer:** Scarlet Beeblossom can open its bright flowers at dusk, helping it attract night-flying pollinators like moths.
- **Color Shifter:** Scarlet Beeblossom has flowers that change color from scarlet-orange to pink, which might signal different stages to pollinators.
- **Drought Dodger:** Scarlet Beeblossom can thrive in dry, sandy soils, allowing it to survive harsh conditions where other plants struggle.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-90 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 2.5-5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to fall
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Carolina Sphinx Moth (*Manduca sexta*) — sips nectar from its evening blooms
- **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — collects pollen and nectar during daylight hours
- **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — browses on its leaves and stems in summer

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Scarlet Beeblossom?

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 Scarlet Beeblossom?

30-90 cm

### How wide does Scarlet Beeblossom spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Scarlet Beeblossom?

2.5-5 cm

### When does Scarlet Beeblossom bloom?

Late spring to fall

### Is Scarlet Beeblossom edible?

Yes

### Is Scarlet Beeblossom toxic?

None

### What is Scarlet Beeblossom's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Dinosaur Ridge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dinosaur-ridge) — Colorado, US · Natural Landmark
- [Butte-Anaconda Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/butte-anaconda-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District
- [E. Martin Hennings House and Studio Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-martin-hennings-house-and-studio-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District
- [Taos Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/taos-downtown-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District
- [Jewel Cave National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jewel-cave-national-monument) — South Dakota, US · National Park

[View all places to see Scarlet Beeblossom](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/scarlet-beeblossom)

## 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*)

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Source: [Scarlet Beeblossom: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scarlet-beeblossom)