Common Evening-Primrose ( Oenothera biennis )

1. Common Evening-Primrose(Oenothera biennis) Family: Onagraceae (on-uh-GRAY-see) – Means from the ancient Greek name for Onagra, once used for fireweed, a member of the evening primrose family. Genus: Oenothera (ee-no-THEE-ruh) – Greek name ŏinōthēras which may derive from oinos (wine) and thera (booty) or more likely from ŏnŏthēras which in turn is from ŏnŏs (ass) and thēra (hunt or pursuit). With a bit of a stretch, it was suppose to mean wine-scented or pursuing wine. Species: biennis (by-EN-iss) – Means biennial.

2. Common Evening-Primrose Other common names are: evening primrose, German rampion, great evening primrose, night willow herg, hoary evening primrose and King's-cureall. Synonym: Oenothera biennis subsp.caeciarum, O. biennis subsp. Centralis, O. biennis var. pycnocarpa, O.muricata, O. pycnocarpa Evening primrose is a herbaceous, biennial plant. It grows from 60cm to 200cm in height. The first year there is only a rosette of basal leaves and a stalk with alternate leaves. It flowers in the second year. The flowers open suddenly in the evening and, depending on the weather, usually close in early to mid morning. The leaves are alternate. Each leaf is toothed or shallowly lobed.

3. Common Evening-Primrose Four broad yellow petals, with cross-shaped stigma.It can be 5 cm wide. The perfumed scented flowers attract sphinx and other moths at night and butterflies during warm mornings. Bees are also attracted to the flowers. It flowers from June to September. There can be weeks when it doesn’t flower.

4. Common Evening-Primrose The stem is usually branched only near the top and often has a redish tinge. The seeds ripen from August to October. The dry stalks and seed pods persist and are sometimes use in dry arrangements.

5. Common Evening-Primrose In Altona Forest it can be found in the open fields and borders around the woods. Unlike many other flowering plants, it does not die after first frost. 1st Nations people rubbed the root on athletes to give them strength. The seeds are an excellent nutritious food source for birds.

6. No recommendations are made here to consume evening primrose in any form although it has been cultivated for this purpose in the past. Common Evening-Primrose The cooked root is nutritious. It has a peppery taste somewhat like parsnips. The peppery flavoured young shoots have been eaten raw or cooked but some sources recommend against eating them. The flowers are sweet and have been used in salads or as a garnish. Young seedpods can be eaten if steamed. The seeds contain an oil which contains gamma-linolenic acid, a rare essential fatty acid. Because the seeds are so small, they have to be collected by hand. Commercial products with this oil are very expensive. The seed oil and a powder obtained from the flowering stem, are also added to skin preparations and cosmetics. A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers. Interesting Fact: Under ultra violet light the evening primrose turns to a white with a bright red cross in the middle with red veins radiating out on each petal.

7. Common Evening Primrose No recommendations are made here to consume evening primrose in any form although it has been cultivated for this purpose in the past. The following are uses that have been suggested by some herbalists. That said, evening primrose one day might be given the title “wonder plant”. The plant contains an astringent mucilage that some herbalist use in cough remedies. The crushed plant releases oils which has been use to treat skin sores. A poultice made from the root has been useful in relieving piles and bruises. A tea made from the root relieves bowel pains. A syrup made from the flowers is a treatment for whooping cough. Regular ingestion of the oil helps to lower blood pressure and reduce blood cholesterol. Studies continue in treatment of eczema, asthma, gastro-intestinal disorders, acne, rheumatoid arthritis, alcohol-related liver damage, migraines, multiple sclerosis, pre-menstrual tension, hyperactivity, brittle nails, preventing blood clots and many other uses. Many vitamin manufacturers make Evening Primrose Oil products.

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