The
photo at right shows some of the key floral features of the genus Oenothera.
The species shown is Oenothera elata.
Common Evening-primrose, Eastern Evening-primrose, King's-cureall: Oenothera biennis (Synonyms: Oenothera biennis, Oenothera biennis ssp. centralis, Oenothera biennis var. pycnocarpa, Oenothera muricata) - Plants 30-100 cm tall and mostly taller than wide. Plants simple or branch above the base, not from the base. Flowers are yellow, the petals from 12-15 mm long.
Desert Eveningprimrose, Desert Evening-primrose, Fragrant Evening Primrose, Sand Lily, Tufted Evening Primrose, Tufted Evening-primrose: Oenothera caespitosa ssp. caespitosa (Synonyms: Oenothera caespitosa var. caespitosa, Oenothera caespitosa var. montana, Oenothera caespitosa var. purpurea, Oenothera cespitosa ssp. cespitosa, Oenothera cespitosa var. cespitosa, Oenothera cespitosa ssp. montana, Oenothera cespitosa var. montana, Oenothera cespitosa ssp. purpurea, Oenothera cespitosa var. purpurea) - Plants less than 30 cm high. Stems absent or much reduced, covered by leaves and flowers. Petals white to rose-colored.
Tufted Evening Primrose: Oenothera caespitosa ssp. marginata (Synonyms: Oenothera caespitosa var. marginata, Oenothera cespitosa ssp. marginata, Oenothera cespitosa var. marginata) - Plants less than 30 cm high. Stems absent or much reduced, covered by leaves and flowers. Petals white to rose-colored.
Lizard Tail, Velvet Weed: Oenothera curtiflora (Synonyms: Gaura mollis, Gaura parviflora)
Hairy Evening-primrose, Bird's Nest Evening-primrose, Lion in a Cage : Oenothera deltoides ssp. piperi (Synonym: Oenothera deltoides var. piperi) - Plants less than 30 cm high. Stems present with white, peeling epdidrmis. Flowers borne on leafy stems. Petals white to rose-colored. Plants annuals.
Hooker's Evening-primrose, Western Evening-primrose: Oenothera elata ssp. hirsutissima (Synonyms: Oenothera elata var. hirsutissima, Oenothera hookeri, Oenothera hookeri ssp. angustifolia, Oenothera hookeri var. angustifolia, Oenothera hookeri var. ornata) - Plants over 30 cm high. Petals yellow.
Long-tubed Evening-primrose, Yellow Evening-primrose: Oenothera flava ssp. flava -
Pale Evening Primrose, Pale Evening-primrose, Whitestem Evening-primrose: Oenothera pallida (Synonyms: Oenothera pallida, Oenothera pallida var. idahoensis, Oenothera pallida var. pallida, Oenothera pallida var. typica) - Plants with erect, leafy & flowered stems. Petals white to rose-colored.
Common Evening-primrose, Hairy Evening-primrose, Villous Evening-primrose: Oenothera villosa ssp. strigosa (Synonyms: Oenothera rydbergii, Oenothera strigosa, Oenothera villosa var. strigosa) -