Hooker's evening primrose facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hooker's evening primrose
Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri
Scientific classification
Genus:	Oenothera
Species:	elata

Oenothera elata is a type of plant often called Hooker's evening primrose or tall evening primrose. It belongs to the Oenothera family. This plant grows naturally across western and central North America. Some types, like the hookeri subspecies from California, can grow very tall. They can reach about 1.8 meters (6 feet) high! You can find these plants in many places. They grow along roads, in wet fields, or in forests. They can be found from sea level up to about 9,000 feet high.

What it Looks Like

This plant has a strong stem that is often reddish. It has many long, thin leaves. These leaves grow above a group of leaves at the base, called a basal rosette. At the top of the plant, you'll see a big bunch of yellow flowers. Each flower is about 2 to 4 inches wide. They have four large petals. You can also see yellow parts sticking out, called stamens. There is also a four-branched pistil. These parts are often covered in sticky pollen. The flowers smell nice. They open when the sun goes down and then close the next morning. When they wilt, they change color to orange or red.

How People Use It

The Zuni people are a Native American tribe. They have used parts of the hookeri subspecies of this plant. They would grind the flower into a powder. Then, they would mix it with saliva to make a special paste. This paste was put on swellings at night to help them.

Gallery

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  Oenothera elata (Hooker's evening primrose), Irvine CA

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  Oenothera elata flowers, Eastern Sierra, CA

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  E. elata var hookeri, Water Conservation Garden, El Cajon CA

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  Oenothera elata: basal & stem leaves, reddish stems, large yellow flowers, & drying orange-red flowers