evening primrose

The name given to several very similar species of erect, robust biennials, native to North America, but cultivated and naturalized in many other countries; leaves lance-shaped to oval; flowers large, several cm in diameter, broadly funnel-shaped with four narrow sepals and four overlapping yellow (sometimes red or white) petals, usually fragrant and opening at night. The oil from Oenothera biennis and Oenothera lamarkiana is claimed to be beneficial in several disorders, including multiple sclerosis, premenstrual tension, heart disease, and skin disorders. These claims have not yet been proven. (Genus: Oenothera, 80 species. Family: Onagraceae.)

Oenothera is a genus of about 125 species of annual, biennial and perennial herbaceous flowering plants, native to North and South America.

The species vary in size from small alpine plants 10 cm tall (e.g.

Oenothera species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Schinia felicitata and Schinia florida, both of which feed exclusively on the genus, the former exclusively on O.

The genus Oenothera may have originated in Mexico and Central America.

It was originally assigned to the genus Onagra, which gave the family Onagraceae its name. He believes that it refers to the fact that the root of the edible Oenothera biennis was used as a wine flavor additive.

Evening Primroses are very popular ornamental plants in gardens. Evening primrose species can be planted in any ordinary, dry, well-drained garden soil (preferly sandy loam) in an open site that is sunny to partly shady.