Tall Evening Primrose
ExplorePlants
Tall Evening Primrose
oenothera elata
The Tall Evening Primrose is a beautiful flower that opens its yellow petals in the evening. It's a favorite of many nighttime pollinators like moths!
Habitat: Tall Evening Primrose typically grows in open fields, meadows, and along roadsides.
Appearance
The Tall Evening Primrose has slender, upright stems topped with bright lemon-yellow, cup-shaped flowers. Its petals are delicate and crinkled in the bud, dramatically unfurling at dusk to reveal a vibrant bloom. It stands out with its distinct height and nocturnal floral display.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMyrtalesFamilyOnagraceaeGenusOenothera
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its petals quickly unfurl, sometimes in minutes, right before your eyes at sunset!
Some parts of the plant taste peppery, like a spicy salad green.
The plant's seeds contain an oil rich in beneficial fatty acids.
The roots were once eaten like potatoes by Indigenous peoples.
Special abilities
Ability
Night Bloom
Tall Evening Primrose can open its flowers rapidly at dusk to attract nocturnal pollinators like moths.
Ability
Deep Root Anchor
Tall Evening Primrose has a long taproot that helps it find water and nutrients in dry, poor soils.
Ability
Seed Spreader
Tall Evening Primrose produces many small seeds that allow it to spread and colonize new disturbed areas easily.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 90-180 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 3-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to Fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Biennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Carolina Sphinx Moth
Manduca sexta
Drinks nectar from evening blooms.
pollinates
White-lined Sphinx Moth
Hyles lineata
A frequent nocturnal visitor for nectar.
eaten by
Primrose Moth
Schinia florida
Larvae feed exclusively on evening primrose plants.
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Browses on the leaves and stems.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Tall Evening Primrose?
90-180 cm
How wide does Tall Evening Primrose spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Tall Evening Primrose?
3-5 cm
When does Tall Evening Primrose bloom?
Summer to Fall
Is Tall Evening Primrose edible?
Yes
Is Tall Evening Primrose toxic?
None
What is Tall Evening Primrose's lifecycle?
Biennial
How is Tall Evening Primrose pollinated?
Insect
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