Evening Primrose
ExplorePlants
Evening Primrose
Oenothera biennis
Evening Primrose has bright yellow flowers that open in the evening! It's a special flower that attracts night-time pollinators.
Habitat: Open fields and roadsides
Appearance
The Evening Primrose has vibrant yellow, cup-shaped flowers, each with four petals, that unfurl dramatically at dusk. Its upright stems feature lance-shaped leaves, and the plant can grow quite tall, standing out in open fields.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMyrtalesFamilyOnagraceaeGenusOenothera
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
2
Interesting facts
Its bright yellow petals open so quickly at sunset, you can almost watch it happen!
Native Americans used its leaves and roots for food and medicine long ago.
The roots of the Evening Primrose can be boiled and eaten, tasting a bit like parsnips!
This plant gets its name because its lovely flowers bloom mainly in the evening.
Special abilities
Ability
Night Bloom Power
Evening Primrose can rapidly unfurl its bright flowers at sunset, making it visible to nocturnal pollinators like moths.
Ability
Scent Beacon
Evening Primrose has a sweet, strong fragrance released at night that attracts specific night-flying insects from afar.
Ability
Survival Seeds
Evening Primrose can produce many tiny seeds that stay viable in soil for years, waiting for perfect conditions.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-150 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to early fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Biennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
White-lined Sphinx Moth
Hyles lineata
visits flowers at night for nectar.
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
collects pollen and nectar by day.
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
browses on leaves and young shoots.
eats
American Goldfinch
Carduelis tristis
feeds on the oil-rich seeds.
Traits
Biennial
Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Night Blooming
Night blooming plants open their flowers after sunset, often to attract nocturnal pollinators with their scent and appearance.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Also known as
Common Evening PrimroseOenotheraSundrops
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Evening Primrose?
30-150 cm
How wide does Evening Primrose spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Evening Primrose?
2-5 cm
When does Evening Primrose bloom?
Summer to early fall
Is Evening Primrose edible?
Yes
Is Evening Primrose toxic?
None
What is Evening Primrose's lifecycle?
Biennial
How is Evening Primrose pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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