Narrowleaf Evening Primrose

Scientific Name: Oenothera fruticosa L.

Narrowleaf Evening Primrose

General Information
Usda Symbol	OEFR
Group	Dicot
Life Cycle	Perennial
Growth Habits	Forb/herb
Native Locations	OEFR

Plant Guide

Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Narrowleaf Evening Primrose.

Fact Sheet

Alternative Names

Common Alternate Name: Common Sundrops

Uses

Conservation; Narrowleaf evening primrose is a beautiful, native perennial and colonizing wildflower which can be used for meadows, native plant landscaping and to attract a multitude of wildlife. It is a good component of a pollinator seed mixture with shorter stature native grasses and wildflowers together. It grows easily in sunny, well drained, moderately fertile locations. It can tolerate very dry (xeric) conditions, however readily spreads and may become weedy in some situations. Wildlife: The flowers are pollinated by bees, skippers and butterflies. A sweat bee (Lasioglossum oenotherae) is a specialist pollinator of many different species of narrowleaf evening primrose. These insects suck nectar from the flowers and some bees also collect pollen for their larvae. There are several insects that feed on evening primrose including pearly wood nymph (Eudryas unio), primrose moth (Schinia florida) and some momphid moths (Mompha spp.). Hummingbirds visit the flowers for nectar and to eat insects. The seeds are eaten to a minor degree by the eastern goldfinch, mourning dove and the foliage is sometimes eaten by white-tailed deer. Ethnobotanical: The Iroquois, Cherokee and Ojibwa Indians use this plant for a multitude of different uses. It is used for weight loss, upset stomach, hemorrhoids and to treat bruises. The seeds contain compounds which show promise treating breast cancer. English visitors to this continent took the seeds back to England with them and the plant has become naturalized in northern Europe.

Status

This plant is listed as of special concern in Connecticut. Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status.

Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, state natural resource, or state agriculture department regarding its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS Web site at http://plants.usda.gov. Please consult the Related Web Sites on the Plant Profile for this species for further information.

Description and Adaptation

Adaptation

Adaptation

Narrowleaf evening primrose is a 16 – 36 inch tall, perennial wildflower, The stems are slender, reddish and hairy, The lance shaped leaves are 2 – 3 inches long and progress singly (alternate) up the stem, The saucer shaped, four petaled, canary yellow flowers are 1 – 2 inches across and mildly fragrant, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Narrowleaf Evening Primrose., Contrary to its common name (evening primrose), the flowers open in the morning and last a few days, Flowering occurs from the tops of its stems during the summer, The seed capsule is shaped like a club at the top and tapers to a slender stalk, helping to distinguish this species from others, The over wintering reddish-purple rosette is evergreen in the Mid-Atlantic and south eastern United States, It can be found in meadows, fields, open woods and disturbed sites,