Hooker's Evening Primrose
Oenothera elata
- Native to:
- Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panamá, United States
Wintertanager J.T. Storey (jtstorey.blogspot.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Onagraceae
- Genus:
- Oenothera
- Species:
- Oenothera elata
- USDA Symbol:
- OEEL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
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)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
⚠️Phaeton primrose sphinx (Euproserpinus phaeton), Primrose Moth (Schinia florida), White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Hummingbirds: Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin), Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, moths, hummingbirds, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal rosette after fire; common in disturbed and post-fire habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold, moist stratification in vermiculite
Establishment: Fruits ripen from May through June (July). Seed may be rapidly gathered by drying fruit upside down in plastic bags. Native to Western North America to Central America, prefers moist places below 2,800 m.
Source: npn.rngr.net