Narrowleaf evening primrose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Narrowleaf evening primrose |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Oenothera
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| Species: |
fruticosa
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The Narrowleaf Evening Primrose (scientific name: Oenothera fruticosa) is a pretty yellow flowering plant. It is also sometimes called the Narrow-leaved Sundrops. This plant belongs to the evening primrose family.
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About the Narrowleaf Evening Primrose
This plant grows naturally in many parts of eastern North America. It likes to live in open areas. You can find it in dry woodlands, on rocky hills, and in moist grassy places.
What It Looks Like
The Narrowleaf Evening Primrose is a plant that grows upright. It can reach a height of about 20 to 90 centimeters (8 to 35 inches). Its leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are simple, meaning they are not divided into smaller leaflets. The edges of the leaves can be smooth or slightly toothed.
The plant has bright yellow flowers that look like small cups or saucers. Each flower is about 2.5 to 5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) wide. These beautiful flowers appear in late spring and throughout the summer. After the flowers, the plant produces a fruit. This fruit is a capsule that looks like a club and has four strong angles or wings.
Plant Varieties
Scientists have given names to many different types of this plant. However, they are still studying how all these types are related. The way they classify the different kinds of Oenothera fruticosa is still being worked out.
Conservation Status
In the state of Connecticut in the United States, the Narrowleaf Evening Primrose is listed as a "special concern" species. This means that experts are worried about its future. They are watching its population closely to make sure it stays healthy.
Special Uses
The Cherokee people have traditionally used the leaves of this plant. They would boil the leaves, then rinse them. After that, they would cook the leaves in hot grease. This made a dish called a "potherb," which is a leafy vegetable cooked for food.
Images for kids
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Drawing of Oenothera fruticosa
