Derivation uncertain: 1. Greek ονος θηρας (onos theras), or “donkey catcher.” 2. Or οινος θηρας (oinos theras), “wine seeker.” 3. Or Latin oenothera, “a plant whose juices may cause sleep”
Pink evening primrose is native to southwestern North America. They prefer
prairies, fields, meadows, and open woodlands.
Plants: 6-24″ (15-60 cm) tall, with stems that
are erect or slouching. One means
of spreading is via root systems a foot underground, leading to clumps up to
6′ (1.8 m) around.
Leaves: Leaves are simple, toothed, and
1-3″ (3-8 cm) × ¾″ (2 cm), on short petioles (stems). They are
hairless, or slightly hairy, and oblanceolate to elliptic.
Flowers: Young flowers are white, usually maturing to an attractive
pink color, in small clusters atop long stems. They have four petals in the shape of a bowl, yellow
centers, 8 stamens,
and a long white stigma branched into 4 sections at its tip. Flowers
are 2-3½″ (5-8.9 cm) across. Flowers appear from May to July or
later, depending upon the area.