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Oenothera engelmannii

Oenothera engelmannii (Small) Munz

Engelmann's Evening-primrose, Engelmann Evening Primrose

Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: OEEN

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

The species of this plant is named for George Engelmann (1809-1884) who was born in Germany and settled in St. Louis, Missouri, as a young man. He was a physician and botanist, describing especially North American Abies (Firs), Agaves, Cactus (for which he described more than 108 species), Cuscuta (Dodder), Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family), Juncus (Rushes), Juniperus (“Cedar”), Pinus (Pines), Vitis (Grapes), and Yuccas. When he died much of his collection went to Missouri Botanical Garden.