[Wildflowers with 4 Petals East of the Cascade Mts.]
The Evening Primrose Family East of the Cascade Mts.

Onagraceae

Photo above of hairy evening-primrose.
Photo at right a close-up of the flower of tansy-leaved evening-primrose. (Note the hemispheric head to the stigma.---->

1. The Evening Primroses: The Genus Camissonia - 4 sepals and petals. Sepals reflexed at flowering time. Ovary with 4 chambers. Stigma hemispheric or head-like, not 4-lobed.

2. Fireweed & Broadleaf Willowherb: The Genus Chamerion - Leaves alternate. 4 sepals and petals. Sepals erect or spreading, not reflexed. Hypanthium absent. Ovary with 4 chambers.

3. Enchanter's Nightshade: Circaea alpina ssp. pacifica - Sepals and petals both 2. Fruits bur-like, covered with hooked hairs.

4. Clarkia: The Genus Clarkia - 4 sepals and petals.Sepals reflexed at flowering time. Anthers attached at the base.

5. The Willowherbs & Spike-primroses: The Genus Epilobium - Leaves mostly opposite. 4 sepals and petals. Sepals erect or spreading, not reflexed. Hypanthium present. Ovary with 4 chambers.

6. The Groundsmoke: The Genus Gayophytum - 4 sepals and petals. Ovary with 2 chambers. Hypanthium barely passes the ovary. Flowers minute.

7. The Evening Primroses: The Genus Oenothera - 4 sepals and petals. Sepals reflexed at flowering time. Ovary with 4 chambers. Stigma 4-lobed. Anthers attached at the middle.

Paul Slichter E-mail