Cutleaf Evening Primrose (Oenothera laciniata)

Oenothera laciniata is known by the common names of Cutleaf Evening Primrose and Cut-leaved Evening Primrose and is one of three Oenothera species that grows in this area; the others are Oenothera biennis (Common Evening-primrose) and Oenothera fruticosa (Narrowleaf Evening Primrose) which flower later in the year. At Fort Yargo State Park, Oenothera laciniata grows in open areas along the trail eastward from the pedestrian bridge (segment 2). Flowers are open in the early to mid-morning but close during the heat of the day.

The plant – in flower. Again, this plant and flower blends into its background.

Growing along the trail in Fort Yargo State Park

A closer view of a plant showing the bloom and the characteristic cutleaf morphology of the leave of a mature plant

A mature flower with pollen

A flower after pollination

Some flowers are pinkish

A ‘spent’ flower. These flowers tend to be orange. When I first discovered these plants, they only had spent flowers so I spent some time trying to identify an orange flower only to find that the flowers are yellow.

After the main blooming season the plant may grow lanky.

Oenothera laciniata (Cutleaf Evening Primrose) is native to the eastern and centrai United States and in California. It also grows in Ontario, Canada.
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Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Oenothera laciniata (Cutleaf Evening Primrose)
- University of North Carolina Herbarium: Oenothera laciniata

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Cutleaf Evening Primrose (Oenothera laciniata)
- Native & Naturalized Plants of Georgia and the Carolinas: Oenothera laciniata
- Missouri Plants: Oenothera laciniata

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower