(Whitest Evening Primrose)
Oenothera albicaulis, John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent Co. 0028
Oenothera albicaulis, John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent Co. 0029
Oenothera albicaulis, John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent Co. 0034
| Scientific Name | Oenothera albicaulis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | OEAL |
| Common Name | Whitest Evening Primrose, Prairie Evening Primrose | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 27373 |
| Family | Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (3500 to 8500 ft.); dry, sandy soils in open flats and slopes. Plant: Annual usually branching from base, with erect central stem 2 to 12 inches tall and spreading, decumbent lateral stems up to 20 inches long. Leaves: Basal rosette leaves often fall off prior to flowering, spatulate, oblanceolate, or ovate, 2 to 4 inches long and up to 1 inch wide, with a smooth or toothed margin; stem leaves alternate, lanceolate to oblanceolate in outline, usually pinnatifid into narrow lobes, and smaller than basal leaves. Inflorescence: Solitary white, showy flowers up to 3-1/4 inches wide opening near sunset, mature blossoms nodding; pedicels up to 1-5/8 inches long arising from leaf axils; floral tube 3/8 to 1-5/8 inches long; 4 sepals per flower, 3/8 to 1-1/4 inches long; 4 white petals fading to pink. Bloom Period: May to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Wildflowers of Texas" by Michael Eason and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains