Desert Evening Primrose

Oenothera primiveris

Native to:
Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Onagraceae
Genus:
Oenothera
Species:
Oenothera primiveris
USDA Symbol:
OEPR

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Annual
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
25 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
feb,mar,apr,may
Bloom Colors:
yellow

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
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from rootstock following fire; common in fire-prone desert grasslands.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to arid and semi-arid regions

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate best with light exposure. Cold stratification improves germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Single-step cold-moist stratification for temperate woodland species. for 60–120 days

Notes: Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment.

Source: Claude AI