Oenothera macrocarpa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oenothera macrocarpa |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Oenothera
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| Species: |
macrocarpa
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Oenothera macrocarpa (syn. Oenothera missouriensis), the bigfruit evening primrose, Ozark sundrop or Missouri evening primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family Onagraceae, native to Mexico and the south-central United States, where it is found in calcareous prairies and limestone outcrops.
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Description
This herbaceous perennial produces a red stem 6-12 in. (15-30 cm) in height. The large (3 inch) wide flowers are cup shaped, canary yellow and have a mild fragrance. They are produced in great numbers from early to mid summer. Leaves are dark green and lanceolate, and bunched along the trailing stem. The seed pods are 4-winged and 2 to 3 inch long.
Uses
The seed pods are often used in flower arrangements. This plant is also grown in gardens for its flowers. It is suitable as a groundcover in poor, stony soil which does not become waterlogged in winter, in full sun. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Taxonomy
There are five commonly accepted varieties. These are:
- O. macrocarpa var. fremontii - restricted to Kansas and southern Nebraska
- O. macrocarpa var. incana - southern Kansas, western Oklahoma and northern Texas
- O. macrocarpa var. macrocarpa - the most widespread; Texas to the Ozark Mountains, with disjunct populations in Tennessee's Nashville Basin
- O. macrocarpa var. mexicana - known only from Coahuila, Mexico
- O. macrocarpa var. oklahomensis - southern Kansas, Oklahoma and northern Texas
Images for kids
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O. m. subsp. macrocarpa
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O. m. subsp. incana
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O. m. subsp. fremontii
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Fruit
