Evening Primrose

Photograph of an Evening Primrose Flower with grassy background.

Evening Primrose

Photograph of an Evening Primrose Flower with grassy background.

Latin name: Oenothera stricta

Size: Grows 50 to 100 cm

Distribution: Native to Chile, this plant was introduced to Ireland as a garden flower. Having escaped into the wild it naturalized itself very well in both the Curracloe area in Wexford and in East Cork.

Flowering months: Its main flowering period is from June through to September.

Habitat: Dry grassy, sandy areas such as sand dunes.

Special features: This is a tall willowy, yellow-flowered herb. The 'Primrose' part of the name refers to the flower colour which is yellow when the flowers are young; as they age and fade they turn orange and rose-red. Evening refers to the fact that since the flowers are pollinated by moths, they don't open fully until late in the day.

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