Although we have come across evening primrose in the southwest desert lands, we only spot it low-elevation, dry, south-facing locations in the Thompson River Valley.

Painted Bluffs in August

• Oenothera villosa is a perennial (or biennial) herb that grows from a thick taproot.
• Oenothera dipressa and oenothera strigosa may also be spotted in the area or nearby in the Okanagan Valley (I have spotted it in Okanagan Mountain Park).
• A stiff stem grows up to 200 cm tall.   Opposite lanceolate leaves form along the stem.
• Large yellow terminal flowers open at night.

Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area

• Narrow hairy capsules form after flowering where seeds develop for dispersal in the fall.

oenothera

• Evening primrose oil is harvested as a herbal medicine.   it was used traditionally for skin problems or for headaches.
• In the southwest, oeneothera is abundant in open gravelly soils.   There are about 145 species in North America.

John Wayne Trail in May

All posts start from personal observation and photos taken in the field.   This is followed up with some research.   A post is drafted and attempts are made to simplify the information so that someone who is not a botanist can still follow the blog post.   This is citizen-science that is open to comment, correction, and further insights.