Names and Myths

Oenothera Wine-scented

Another view is that the name is derived from the need for increased consumption of liquids due to the peppery taste of the plant, and Oenothera also means wine-imbibing.³⁴

biennis biennial

primrose Prim is from primus or primula Latin for first.

Natural history / Folklore

Flowers open for night pollination by moths.³⁸ They are a uniform color and heavily scented, flowers that are pollinated loose their petals, those that are not may stay open in the daylight to increase chance of pollination.²² All parts of the plant are edible, though not considered a delicacy.⁹ Due to a peppery taste several changes of water are required.³⁴

Description

July – October Yellow flowers composed of 4 petals and 8 stamens, with an X shaped sigma projecting from the center, redish green stems. .⁴⁵ Dry open spaces, fields and roadsides