Family: Onagraceae
Author: Ledeb. ex Link
Bibliography: Enum. Hort. Berol. Alt. 1: 377 (1821)
Year: 1821
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Oenothera
Vegetable: False
Observations: Desventurados Is., Chile to S. Argentina
Description
The Common evening-primrose, known scientifically as Oenothera stricta, is a fascinating member of the Onagraceae family. First formally described by esteemed botanists Ledebour and Link in 1821, this plant has garnered attention for its unique characteristics and widespread habitat.
Native to the diverse environments spanning from the Desventurados Islands to southern Argentina, the Common evening-primrose exhibits remarkable adaptability. The plant typically blooms in the evening, hence its name, and it is known for its delicate, bright yellow flowers which open just as the sun begins to set and close again by the following midday.
Oenothera stricta plays a significant role in its native ecosystems. It often thrives in disturbed areas and can be found along roadsides and in open fields. Its flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and moths, which are drawn to the blooms for their nectar and play a critical role in the plant’s reproductive cycle.
In terms of identification, the Common evening-primrose can be recognized by its tall, slender stems and distinctive flowers. The leaves are typically lanceolate in shape with a slightly hairy texture, adding to the plant’s overall visual appeal.
Beyond its ecological roles, the Common evening-primrose has also been noted for its medicinal properties. Traditionally, various parts of the plant have been utilized in herbal remedies, particularly for conditions such as eczema and inflammation. The evening-primrose oil, extracted from the seeds of the plant, is especially valued for its high content of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid believed to have numerous health benefits.
In conclusion, the Common evening-primrose, Oenothera stricta, is a remarkable plant that not only contributes to its environment through its ecological interactions but also offers therapeutic benefits. Its enduring presence from the Desventurados Islands to southern Argentina speaks to its resilience and the continued relevance of its study in both botanical and medicinal contexts.
Common Names
Eng: chilean evening primrose, fragrant evening-primrose, common evening-primrose, sweet sundrop, sweet-scent evening-primrose
Ita: enagra a foglie strette
Fra: onagre striée
Deu: steife nachtkerze
Ces: pupalka tuhá
Afr: soetnagblom
Swe: doftnattljus
Cym: briallu yr hwyr peraroglus, melyn yr hwyr peraroglus, melyn-yr-hwyr pêr
En: Common evening-primrose, Fragrant evening-primrose, Sweet sundrop, Sweet-scent evening-primrose, Chilean evening primrose, Sweet evening primrose, Yellow evening primrose
Af: Soetnagblom, Geel nagblom, Soet nagblom
Cs: Pupalka tuhá
Fi: Tankihelokki
Fr: Onagre striée, Onagre dressée
De: Steife Nachtkerze
It: Enagra a foglie strette
Sv: Doftnattljus
Cy: Briallu yr Hwyr Peraroglus, Melyn yr Hwyr Peraroglus, Melyn-yr-Hwyr Pêr
Synonyms
- Oenothera polymorpha var. stricta ((Ledeb. ex Link) H.Lév.)
Distribution
- Argentina South (native)
- Chile Central (native)
- Chile North (native)
- Chile South (native)
- Desventurados Is. (native)
- Algeria (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Azores (introduced)
- Bulgaria (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Central European Rus (introduced)
- China North-Central (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Corse (introduced)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- Easter Is. (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Greece (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Jawa (introduced)
- Korea (introduced)
- KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
- Lesotho (introduced)
- Libya (introduced)
- Madeira (introduced)
- Morocco (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Northern Territory (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- Portugal (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- Switzerland (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
- Western Australia (introduced)
- Zimbabwe (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Sep 11, 2022 by HOLWECK Paul (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2018 by manuel santacreu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 13, 2021 by Jesus Pereiras (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 8, 2022 by patrick richard (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 17, 2017 by Jose Luis Romero (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Sep 11, 2020 by Geneviève Raabe (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 8, 2022 by patrick richard (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 14, 2020 by Fabrice CLATOT (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 17, 2017 by Jose Luis Romero (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 17, 2017 by Jose Luis Romero (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken May 26, 2022 by Anne Baudry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 16, 2020 by Eiden (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2019 by Antoine josse (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 8, 2022 by patrick richard (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Sep 11, 2022 by HOLWECK Paul (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 9, 2022 by Peñafort Raúl Horacio (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 14, 2020 by chantal OMEZ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken May 17, 2017 by Jose Luis Romero (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3188830)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:614101-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Oenothera stricta Ledeb. ex Link)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 6.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 5
Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]
Soil nutriments: 6