Oenothera elata

Oenothera elata (Kunth)

By Jessica Scharer, Native Plants Class, Summer 2005

Common names: Yellow flowered evening primrose

Family: Onagraceae

Synonymy: Oenothera hookeri (Torr.&A.Gray.)

Identification

Growth form: Herb that grows in clumps, with red tinged yellow flowers

Roots: Spreading to prostrate

Stem: Erect, 4-25 dm (2).

Leaves: Cauline 4-25cm, oblanceolate to lanceolate or elliptic, gen dentate to subentire.

Inflorescence/flowers: Spike. Flower has a hypanthium 20-48(55)mm; sepals 27-48 mm; freetips in bud 1-7 mm; petals 25-52 , yellow fading reddish orange (2).

Fruit: 20-65 mm, 4-7 mm wide, narrowly lanceolate, ± straight (2).

Similar species: Oenothera albicaulis, Oenothera rosea, Oenothera flava

Ecology

Life history: Short-lived bienneial herb

Native/Introduced: Native.

Phenology: In Arizona blooms from July –October (1).

Distribution: Roadsides, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and ponderosa pine clearings, 3,500-9,500 feet (1).

Uses

Human: Seeds eaten by Native Americans (1). The Navajo used it as a Kayenta drug (ceremonial medicine, cold remedy, dermatological aid, as a Plumeway emetic, remedy for colds, poultice of plant was applied to sores, hot poultice of plant applied for mumps and the Navajo used it as a Ramah drug (Panacea); the poultice of root was used only for large swellings, a “life medicine”. The Zuni used it is as a antirheumatic (external). The poultice of powdered flowers and saliva applied at night to swellings. The Paiute used it as an unspecified food source and rubbed the root on a hunter’s moccasins and body to attract deer and also to repel snakes. The Pomo used it as a Kashaya Dye (yellow). The flowers were chewed with gum to make gum yellow. The Jemez used it as a good luck charm (3).

References:

1. Epple, A.O. and L.E. Epple. 1995. A Field Guide to the Plants of Arizona. The Globe Pequot Press. pg. 337.

2. Wagner, W.L. and P.H. Raven. 1993. Onagraceae. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. Edited by James C. Hickman. University of California Press. pg. 803.

3. University of Michigan. Native American Ethnobotany (database). Website location: http://herb.umd.umich.edu [Accessed June 23, 2005]

Oenothera elata (Kunth) By Jessica Scharer, Native Plants Class, Summer 2005 Common names: Yellow flowered evening primrose Family: Onagraceae Synonymy: Oenothera hookeri (Torr.&A.Gray.) Identification Growth form: Herb that grows in clumps, with red tinged yellow flowers Roots: Spreading to prostrate Stem: Erect, 4-25 dm (2). Leaves: Cauline 4-25cm, oblanceolate to lanceolate or elliptic, gen dentate to subentire. Inflorescence/flowers: Spike. Flower has a hypanthium 20-48(55)mm; sepals 27-48 mm; freetips in bud 1-7 mm; petals 25-52 , yellow fading reddish orange (2). Fruit: 20-65 mm, 4-7 mm wide, narrowly lanceolate, ± straight (2). Similar species: Oenothera albicaulis, Oenothera rosea, Oenothera flava Ecology Life history: Short-lived bienneial herb Native/Introduced: Native. Phenology: In Arizona blooms from July –October (1). Distribution: Roadsides, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and ponderosa pine clearings, 3,500-9,500 feet (1). Uses Human: Seeds eaten by Native Americans (1). The Navajo used it as a Kayenta drug (ceremonial medicine, cold remedy, dermatological aid, as a Plumeway emetic, remedy for colds, poultice of plant was applied to sores, hot poultice of plant applied for mumps and the Navajo used it as a Ramah drug (Panacea); the poultice of root was used only for large swellings, a “life medicine”. The Zuni used it is as a antirheumatic (external). The poultice of powdered flowers and saliva applied at night to swellings. The Paiute used it as an unspecified food source and rubbed the root on a hunter’s moccasins and body to attract deer and also to repel snakes. The Pomo used it as a Kashaya Dye (yellow). The flowers were chewed with gum to make gum yellow. The Jemez used it as a good luck charm (3). References: 1. Epple, A.O. and L.E. Epple. 1995. A Field Guide to the Plants of Arizona. The Globe Pequot Press. pg. 337. 2. Wagner, W.L. and P.H. Raven. 1993. Onagraceae. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. Edited by James C. Hickman. University of California Press. pg. 803. 3. University of Michigan. Native American Ethnobotany (database). Website location: http://herb.umd.umich.edu [Accessed June 23, 2005]