Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Onagraceae

Genus:

Oenothera

Species:

Oenothera cavernae

USDA Symbol:

OECA5

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Annual

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

15 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

may,jun,jul

Bloom Colors:

yellow

Ground Cover:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:

★★★☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, moths

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to rocky, arid environments

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds germinate best with light exposure. Evening primrose seeds may have variable dormancy.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI