Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Oenothera caespitosa Nutt.
Tufted evening primrose, Gumbo evening primrose, Gumbo lily, Fragrant evening primrose
Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family)
Rosettes of
oblong leaves with pointed tips subtend tufted evening-primrose’s 4-6 in. flower stalks. Each large, white flower has four, heart-shaped petals and eight yellow stamens. The flowers open in late afternoon, close the next morning, and wither to pink or red-violet. Lateral roots may give rise to new
perennial plants.
Tufted Evening-primrose is a member of the evening-primrose family (family Onagraceae), which includes mainly herbs, rarely shrubs or trees with often showy flowers. Primrose ultimately derives from a Latin word meaning first and the true primroses (Primulaceae), unrelated to evening-primroses, are among the first flowers to bloom in the spring. Apparently in the early 1600s when an eastern United States species of
Oenothera was being described, its sweet scent reminded the botanist of wild primroses of Europe. He gave the name to those plants and it stuck.
Image Gallery:
14 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Size Class: 0-1 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NE , NV , NM , ND , OR , SD , TX , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB ,
SK Native Distribution: WA to w. ND, s. to s. CA & NM
Native Habitat: Dry buttes, exposed hillsides & open woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry, clay soils.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Seed is eaten by many birds.
Use Medicinal: Root pounded into pulp and placed on swellings and sores .(Kindscher)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Last Update: 2009-02-21
