OENOTHERA acaulis

(OENOTHERA taraxacifolia)

Evening Primrose

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Type:

Perennial
Height: 6" (15cm)
Flowering Time: Summer
Flower Colour: White, yellow
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Botanical Classification:

Class:

Angiospermae (Angiosperms)
Subclass: Dicotyledonae (Dicotyledons)
Superorder: Rosidae (Rose Superorder)
Order: Myrtales (Myrtle Order)
Family: Onagraceae (Willow-herb Family)
Genus: Oenothera (Evening Primrose)
Species: acaulis (stemless)
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Oenothera acaulis

Oenothera acaulis is a tufted plant with toothed leaves (its other name, Oenothera taraxacifolia, means it has leaves like those of a Dandelion), reaching about 4" in height. In summer, it produces large white flowers (pale yellow in Oenothera acaulis var aurea) which only open in the evening or on dull days, dying by the next day.

As the flowers have no stems, the seedpods are clustered together to form a tight hedgehog-like ball. The plant is perennial, but may only be short-lived in areas with cold or wet winters.

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Harvesting and Growing from Seed:

Germination:
Autumn
Inside (6 days)
Outside (13 days)
Winter
Outside (63 days)
Seed Pod The seedpod is a prickly pointed woody capsule.

Seed The seeds are small brown chunks. There are many seeds in a seed pod.

Seedling The seedleaves are rounded, but the first true leaves are long, thin and pointed.

(You can check the meaning of any technical terms new to you in the Botany section of the site)

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