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Oenothera albicaulis - Pursh.

Common Name Whitest Evening Primrose
Family Onagraceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rather dry grassy and disturbed places, 800 - 2200 metres.
Range Western N. America - Arizona to S. Dakota and Montana.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Oenothera albicaulis Whitest Evening Primrose


www.nps.gov
Oenothera albicaulis Whitest Evening Primrose
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 2

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Oenothera albicaulis is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies), bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Anogra albicaulis.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Seed  Seedpod  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Fruit[105, 161]. Another report says that the plant has an edible seedpod[213]. The reports for edible fruit probably mean the seedpod[K]. Seed - cooked[257]. They can be used in soups or can be ground into a powder and then used as a gravy[257]. Root - cooked. Too small to be a staple food, but useful in an emergency, the roots taste best in late autumn, winter and early spring[213]. Leaves and young shoots - cooked[213].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiphlogistic

A poultice of the plant has been used to treat swellings[257]. A decoction of the root has been drunk and used as a lotion on muscle strains[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a dryish well-drained sandy loam and full sun[1, 200]. Heavy clay soils may induce winter rots[200]. Succeeds in poor soils[200]. The flowers open in the evening, they are richly scented and are very attractive to moths.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow in situ from late spring to early summer or in the autumn[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (South Dakota, Oklahoma, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Utah), Mexico (Chihuahua)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Clarkia bilobaTwolobe clarkia, Mariposa clarkia, Brandegee's clarkiaAnnual0.9 0-0  LMHSNM11 
Clarkia purpureaWinecup clarkiaAnnual0.6 0-0  LMHSNM10 
Jussieva repens Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNWe01 
Oenothera biennisEvening Primrose, Sun Drop, Common evening primroseBiennial1.2 4-8  LMNDM353
Oenothera brevipesGolden SuncupAnnual0.3 -  LMNDM20 
Oenothera elata hookeriHooker's Evening PrimroseBiennial/Perennial0.8 6-9  LMNDM212
Oenothera glaziovianaLarge-Flower Evening Primrose, Redsepal evening primroseBiennial1.5 3-7  LMNDM22 
Oenothera lamarckiana Biennial1.0 -  LMNDM10 
Oenothera odorata Perennial0.9 4-8  LMNDM102

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Pursh.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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