Lavender Sundrops is a striking, drought-hardy perennial that brightens rocky landscapes with vivid yellow blooms and supports a range of pollinators in arid environments. While edible in a limited sense, its food value is minimal and culturally secondary. Its greatest importance lies in its ecological contributions, xeriscape performance, and ability to thrive in the harshest of southwestern soils. Identification & Habit: Lavender Sundrops is a perennial herb forming tight clusters of slender, erect stems arising from a branched caudex and strong taproot. Height ranges from approximately 4–22 cm. Stems are hairy, pale to grayish, and unbranched above. Leaves are simple, alternate, and distinctly narrow—linear to narrowly oblong or oblanceolate—evoking the foliage of lavender plants, from which the common name is derived. Leaf surfaces are hairy but not harsh. The flowers are showy, solitary in upper leaf axils, and borne on extended hypanthiums that protrude well beyond the ovary. Petals number four, bright yellow at first, later fading into deeper warm tones. Sepals are four, and stigmas are peltate (mushroom-like), distinguishing this species from many Oenothera whose stigmas are cross-shaped. The fruits are fusiform capsules that dry and split into four sections at maturity, housing numerous smooth seeds arranged in two rows per chamber. Pollination is carried out primarily by nocturnal or crepuscular moths, late-day native bees, and occasionally hawkmoths, all drawn to the flowers’ pattern of afternoon opening, bright colouration, and accessible nectar. Growing Conditions: Lavender Sundrops thrives in dry, rocky, or sandy soils, often where few other perennials can survive. It tolerates intense sun, heat, and drought, and performs well at mid- to high-elevation desert grasslands, pinyon-juniper zones, and mountain foothills. It prefers well-drained soils and cannot tolerate waterlogging. Its natural hardiness lies roughly in USDA Zones 5–9, with emphasis on arid-adapted conditions. Habitat & Range: The species occupies deserts, open shrublands, rocky slopes, mesas, grasslands, canyon rims, and mountain foothills across the central and southwestern United States. Its range includes Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, extending into adjacent mountainous regions where soils remain mineral, dry, and warm. Size & Landscape Performance: Plants remain compact, usually 4–22 cm tall and equally narrow in spread. In landscaping, lavender sundrops serves as a tough, xeric perennial valued for long bloom duration and resistance to drought. In dryland gardens, it performs reliably with minimal irrigation, forming tidy clumps that flower repeatedly. Cultivation (Horticulture): Gardeners appreciate this species for its drought tolerance and tolerance of poor soils. It thrives in full sun and requires gravelly or sandy substrates. Overwatering or rich soils lead to weak, floppy growth. Successful cultivation involves providing sharp drainage and low organic matter. Once established, plants require little maintenance. They pair well with other xeric perennials such as penstemons, desert phlox, and native grasses. Pests & Problems: Few problems affect this species. Drought, heat, and poor soils—which suppress many plants—are well tolerated. Excess irrigation or heavy clay soils can cause root rot. Browsing by rabbits or deer may occur but generally does not threaten plant health. Cultivar / Selection Notes: No named horticultural cultivars exist. All plants in gardens are wild-type forms or local ecotypes. Variation occurs in flower size, petal ruffling, and degree of color fading, but no formal selections have been maintained.