sign in sign up
<<
Home , Circaea lutetiana, Gaura, Oenothera, Oenothera curtiflora, Oenothera gaura, Oenothera macrocarpa

– EVENING-PRIMROSE FAMILY

Plant: mostly herbs, rarely or Stem: Root: : alternate, opposite or whorled, simple, entire or some with teeth, rarely lobed; stipules rare : mostly perfect, regular (actinomorphic) to irregular (zygomorphic); often showy; and mostly 4, rarely 2-5-7, petals may be absent, sometimes clawed; mostly 8 (can vary); ovary mostly inferior but varies, sometimes in form of a cross; has parts in 2’s with petals deeply 2-lobed : capsule, 4-chambered, or sometimes a or nut-like Other: distributed throughout the world; Dicotyledons Group Genera: 20+ genera; locally , Circaea (enchanter’s nightshade), (willow-herb), , (water primrose), (evening primrose),

WARNING – family descriptions are only a layman’s guide and should not be used as definitive Flower Morphology in the Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Examples of some common genera

Fireweed Biennial Gaura [Beeblossom]; Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub ssp. W.L. Wagner & Angustifolium (Epilobium Angustifolium) Hoch (Gaura biennis L.)

Threadleaf Evening Primrose [Sundrops] Nutt.

Seedbox Common [Broadleaf] Enchanter’s-Nightshade L. L. ssp. canadensis (L.) Aschers. & Magnus

Common Evening-Primrose False Gaura [Stenosiphon] Fringed [Hairy; Northern] Willowherb L. Stenosiphon linifolius (Nutt. ex James) Heynh. Raf. ssp. Ciliatum (O. glaucifolia W.L. Wagner & Hoch) ONAGRACEAE – EVENING-PRIMROSE FAMILY

Fireweed; Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub ssp. Angustifolium (Epilobium Angustifolium) Common [Broadleaf] Enchanter’s-Nightshade; Circaea lutetiana L. ssp. canadensis (L.) Aschers. & Magnus Pimpernel [Alpine] Willowherb; Epilobium anagallidifolium Lam. Fringed [Hairy; Northern] Willowherb; Epilobium ciliatum Raf. ssp. Ciliatum Purpleleaf [Cinnamon] Willowherb; Biehler Great Hairy [Large Flowered] Willow-Herb; L. (Introduced) Seedbox; Ludwigia alternifolia L. Wingleaf Primrose-Willow; Walter Anglestem [Hairy] Primrose-Willow; Ludwigia leptocarpa (Nutt.) H. Hara Marsh Seedbox [Purslane]; (L.) Elliot Floating Primrose-Willow; (Kunth) P.H. Raven ssp. glabrescens (Kuntze) P.H. Raven ONAGRACEAE – EVENING-PRIMROSE FAMILY

Common Evening-Primrose; Oenothera biennis L. Tufted [Gumbo; Moon-Rose; Stemless] Evening Primrose; Nutt. ssp. Marginata (Nutt. ex Hook. & Arn.) Munz Cleland's Evening-Primrose; Oenothera clelandii W. Dietr., Raven & W.L. Wagner Crownleaf [Cutleaf; Combleaf] Evening Primrose; Torr. & A. Gray Velvet Weed [Velvety Gaura]; W.L. Wagner & Hoch (Gaura mollis & parvifora) Longflower Beeblossom; Oenothera filiformis (Small) W.L. Wagner & Hoch (Gaura longiflora) Southern Sundrops [Narrowleaf Evening Primrose]; L. Biennial Gaura [Beeblossom]; Oenothera gaura W.L. Wagner & Hoch (Gaura biennis L. (E US)) Seabeach Evening Primrose; Oenothera humifusa Nutt. Cut-Leaved [Ragged] Evening Primrose; Hill Threadleaf Evening Primrose [Sundrops]; Oenothera linifolia Nutt. Primrose [Bigfruit Evening-Primrose; Glade Lily]; Nutt. ssp. Macrocarpa Pinkladies [Showy Evening Primrose]; Nutt. Hairy Evening Primrose; Oenothera villosa Thunb. False Gaura [Stenosiphon]; Stenosiphon linifolius (Nutt. ex James) Heynh. Fireweed USDA Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub ssp. Angustifolium (Epilobium Angustifolium) Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Near Fraser, Grand County, Colorado Notes: 4 petaled flower, pink to red, clawed, in showy raceme; leaves lanceolate, sessile, mostly smooth, turning red in fall; frit a pod with many ; tall up to 1-2+ m; summer to fall [V Max Brown, 2012] Common [Broadleaf] Enchanter’s- USDA Nightshade Circaea lutetiana L. ssp. canadensis (L.) Aschers. & Magnus Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Oak Openings Metropark, Lucas County, Ohio Notes: 2-petaled flower, white, deeply-lobed, sepals usually bent back along stem, flowers on spikes - not clustered just at top; leaves ovate to lance-shaped, shallow teeth; stem stiff and plant erect; summer [V Max Brown, 2005] Pimpernel [Alpine] USDA Willowherb Epilobium anagallidifolium Lam. Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Notes: 4-petaled flower, pale pink usually, petals shallowly notched, sepals lanceolate, on long pedicels; leaves lanceolate, on short petioles, tip somewhat blunt; stem usually reddish; subalpine to alpine environments; summer [V Max Brown, 2012] Fringed [Hairy; Northern] USDA Willowherb Epilobium ciliatum Raf. ssp. Ciliatum Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Pokagon State Park, Steuben County, Indiana Notes: 4-petaled flower, white to pink, noticeably notched, stigma entire; leaves lanceolate, serrate (fewer number than E. coloratum); stem with fine hairs descending from edge of attachments; wet areas; summer to early fall [V Max Brown, 2009] Purpleleaf [Cinnamon] Willowherb USDA Epilobium coloratum Biehler Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Oak Openings Metropark, Lucas County, Ohio Notes: 4-petaled flower, white to pink, shallowly notched, stigma entire; leaves lanceolate, sharp toothed, larger leaves >7-8 cm long; stem with fine hairs descending from edge of leaf attachments; wet areas; summer to early fall [V Max Brown, 2007] Great Hairy [Large Flowered] USDA Willow-Herb Epilobium hirsutum L. (Introduced) Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Mackinac Island, Mackinac County, Michigan Notes: 4-petaled flower, notched, purple to pinkish purple, stigma with 4 lobes, large for genus - petals from 0.8 to 1.5+ cm; leaves opposite, lanceolate, sharply toothed, somewhat hairy particularly beneath, sessile and clasping to about middle of stem; stem long pubescent (spreading); plant stout and branching; usually in wet areas; middle to late summer [V Max Brown, 2008] Seedbox USDA Ludwigia alternifolia L. Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Oak Openings Metropark, Lucas County, Ohio Notes: 4-petaled flower, yellow, petals wide and rounded, 4 sepals and stamens, each flower from a leaf axil on distinct pedicel; fruit a box-like capsule (seeds dispersed through a pore); leaves alternate, lanceolate; summer to early fall [V. Max Brown, 2005] Wingleaf Primrose- USDA Willow Ludwigia decurrens Walter Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, Stoddard County, Missouri Notes: 4-petaled flower, yellow, petals wide and rounded, very narrowed at base, 4 sepals; leaves alternate, lanceolate, decurrent; stem angled and; fruit a 2 cm capsule; stem and leaves mostly glabous; swamps and other wet areas; summer to fall [V. Max Brown, 2010] Anglestem [Hairy] USDA Primrose-Willow Ludwigia leptocarpa (Nutt.) H. Hara Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Shawnee State Park, Scioto County, Ohio Notes: (5)-6-(7)-petaled flower, yellow, petals wide and rounded, very narrowed at base, sepals same number usually as petals; leaves alternate, lanceolate, long hairs on veins beneath, short petiolate; stem angled with abundant, soft spreading hairs; fruit a 3-5+ cm cylindrical capsule; late summer to fall [V. Max Brown, 2009] Marsh Seedbox [Purslane] USDA Ludwigia palustris (L.) Elliot Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Oak Openings Metropark, Lucas County, Ohio Notes: 4-sepaled flower, greenish, no petals, 4 stamens, from leaf axils; leaves opposite, ovate to elliptical, petiolate, glabrous; stems mostly creeping, glabrous, fleshy; fruit sessile, cylindrical; wet ground, ditches, lake shores; summer to fall [V. Max Brown, 2009] Floating Primrose-Willow USDA Ludwigia peploides (Kunth) P.H. Raven ssp. glabrescens (Kuntze) P.H. Raven Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, Stoddard County, Missouri Notes: 5-petaled flower, yellow, petals wide and rounded, very narrowed at base, 5 lanceolate sepals; leaves alternate, lanceolate, shiny above, glabrous, short petiolate; stem not angled or winged, thick and fleshy, a few hairs; fruit a cylindrical capsule; sprawling to somewhat erect; shallow water or muddy bottoms, often in colonies; summer to fall [V. Max Brown, 2010] Common Evening-Primrose USDA Oenothera biennis L. Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Maumee River Metroparks, Lucas County, Ohio Notes: 4-petaled flower, rounded and notched, pale to bright yellow, style cross- shaped; leaves lance-shaped, wavy to slightly toothed or nearly entire; fruit in long cylindrical sessile pods; plant hairy, common; summer to fall [V Max Brown, 2004] Tufted [Gumbo; Moon- USDA Rose; Stemless] Evening Primrose Oenothera caespitosa Nutt. ssp. Marginata (Nutt. ex Hook. & Arn.) Munz Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Near Pagosa Springs, Archoleta County, Colorado Notes: 4 petaled flower (4-6 cm), few to several flowers, petals heart-shaped (tips lobed and rounded), white becoming pink with age, sepals strongly reflexed, stigma cross-shaped, solitary, stemless, from leaf axils on a hypanthium; leaves lanceolate, basal, entire to toothed or lobed, hairy on margins and veins ; fruit a woody capsule with ridges; spring to summer [V Max Brown, 2017] Cleland's Evening- USDA Primrose Oenothera clelandii W. Dietr., Raven & W.L. Wagner Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Kitty Todd Nature Preserve, Lucas County, Ohio Notes: 4-petaled flower, yellow, petals pointed at tip, sepals strongly reflexed, solitary; leaves lanceolate and plant ‘leafy’; plant erect or often falling; sandy areas mostly; summer to fall [V Max Brown, 2006] Crownleaf [Cutleaf; Combleaf] USDA Evening Primrose Oenothera coronopifolia Torr. & A. Gray Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Near Pagosa Springs, Archoleta County, Colorado Notes: 4 petaled flower (2+ cm), petals slightly notched, white becoming pink with age, sepals strongly reflexed, stigma cross-shaped, solitary, from upper leaf axils; leaves lanceolate, deeply dissected or pinnately lobed, smooth to hairy; stem hairy; fruit a capsule with fine ridges; summer [V Max Brown, 2017] Velvet Weed [Velvety Gaura] USDA Oenothera curtiflora W.L. Wagner & Hoch Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Tallgrass National Preserve, Chase County, Notes: 4 petaled flower, pink to rose to white, small, inflorescence a dense spike; leaves alternate, lanceolate, entire, mostly sessile, hairy top and bottom; stem with spreading soft hairs; plant mostly unbranched and solitary; summer to early fall (formerly Gaura parvifora, G. mollis) [V Max Brown, 2010] Velvet Weed [Velvety Gaura] Oenothera curtiflora W.L. Wagner & Hoch Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Lake Springfield, Greene County, Missouri [V Max Brown, 2019]

Second Example Longflower Beeblossom USDA Oenothera filiformis (Small) W.L. Wagner & Hoch (Gaura longiflora) Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Wire Road Conservation Area, Stone County, Missouri Notes: 4 petaled flower, white turning pink, stamens long and drooping, sepals reflexed, inflorescences often branched; leaves lanceolate, slightly toothed; stem with spreading, +/- appressed hairs; fruit 4-angled; tall plant, annual or biennial; summer to fall (very similar to Gaura biennis L. or now Oenothera gaura) [V Max Brown, 2014] Southern Sundrops [Narrowleaf USDA Evening Primrose] Oenothera fruticosa L. Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Irwin Prairie Nature Preserve; Lucas County, Ohio Notes: 4-petaled flower, yellow, petals notched at tip, sepals reflexed, somewhat hairy, buds with free tips 1mm or less; leaves lanceolate, plant somewhat ‘leafy’; stem short pubescent; fruit club-shaped, angled, hairy; plant mostly erect; moist areas usually; summer (varieties) [V Max Brown, 2008] Biennial Gaura [Beeblossom] USDA Oenothera gaura W.L. Wagner & Hoch (Gaura biennis L. (E US) Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Oak Openings Metropark, Lucas County, Ohio Notes: 4 petaled flower, white turning pink, stamens long and drooping, sepals reflexed, inflorescences often branched; leaves lanceolate, slightly toothed; stem with spreading, +/- appressed hairs, tall plant; summer to fall [V Max Brown, 2004] Seabeach Evening USDA Primrose Oenothera humifusa Nutt. Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Cedar Key, Levy County, Florida Notes: 4-petaled flower, yellow, shallowly notched, sepals strongly reflexed; leaves alternate, lanceolate, wavy edged; fruit capsules cylindrical, very hairy; stem with long hairs; mostly prostrate plant, usually in sandy soils; spring to summer [V Max Brown, 2011] Cut-Leaved [Ragged] USDA Evening Primrose Oenothera laciniata Hill Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Oak Openings Metropark, Lucas County, Ohio Notes: 4 petaled flower, yellow (sometimes white), notched, sepals strongly reflexed; leaves deeply toothed or pinnately lobed or divided sharply; fruit capsules cylindrical; usually in sandy soils; late spring to summer [V Max Brown, 2006] Threadleaf Evening Primrose USDA [Sundrops] Oenothera linifolia Nutt. Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Taum Sauk Moutain State Park, Iron County, Missouri Notes: 4-petaled flower, yellow, notched, in terminal spike (raceme), small bracts present; cauline leaves linear (filiform), very numerous; barrens, rock ledges and glades; spring to early summer [V Max Brown, 2010] Missouri Primrose [Bigfruit USDA Evening-Primrose; Glade Lily] Oenothera macrocarpa Nutt. ssp. Macrocarpa [O. missouriensis] Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Alley Springs, Ozark National Riverways, Shannon County, Missouri Notes: 4-petaled flower, yellow, large and showy; leaves lanceolate, entire, often curling at edges; fruit a large 4-angled or winged pod; sprawling plant; summer [V Max Brown, 2007] Pinkladies [Showy Evening USDA Primrose] Oenothera speciosa Nutt. Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Ash Flat area, Sharp County, Arkansas Notes: 4 petaled flower, tips rounded, pink (sometimes white), style cross-shaped, often solitary or few from upper leaf axils (no large spike); leaves lanceolate to elliptical, toothed or not; fruit a long pod or capsule; plant small; summer [V Max Brown, 2007] Hairy Evening Primrose USDA Oenothera villosa Thunb. Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) W-C bike trail, near Whitehouse, Lucas County, Ohio Notes: 4 petaled flower, yellow, rounded and shallowly notched, sepals often strongly reflexed; leaves alternate, grayish or dull green (not shiny), lanceolate, densely and finely pubescent above and below, slightly toothed; fruit capsules cylindrical, densely fine pubescent; stem densely fine pubescent; usually in sandy soils; late summer [V Max Brown, 2008] False Gaura USDA [Stenosiphon] Stenosiphon linifolius (Nutt. ex James) Heynh. Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area, Stone County, Missouri Notes: 4 petaled (clawed) flower, white, 4 white strongly reflexed sepals (tip often green), 8 stamens, inflorescence an elongated spike; leaves alternate, linear- lanceolate, a little hairy; fruit a small capsule; tall plant, often nearly leafless in dry years at flowering; summer to fall [V Max Brown, 2011]