Pale evening primrose (Plants of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque)

Pale evening primrose

Oenothera pallida

Summary ⁷

The pale evening primrose, scientifically known as the Oenothera pallida, is a flower that has many common names and uses. Though the pale evening primrose is overlooked, this flower has been used to treat many diseases and bodily issues and helps the local ecology by feeding bees.

Botanical Information ⁸

For this four-petaled and hairless flower, there are many common names including sun cups, sun drops, innocence, white buttercup and white evening primrose(MacDonald)(Shoot). The main color of this flower is white and turns a light shade of yellow at the center. Once the flower has fully matured, the flower begins to develop a pinkish tone (The American Southwest). As for height, the pale evening primrose can reach up to three feet when watered correctly and the flower itself can be up to three inches in diameter. The leaves of this plant are narrow and oval shaped and they have gently jagged or lobed edges. The leaves can be as long as four inches (The American Southwest).

Ecological Information ⁷

Evening primrose are commonly found in sandy or rocky soil habitat in semi-desert locations, such as New Mexico where it is native. Since this flower is perennial, it grows back from the roots year after year. The months that these plants flower are April, May and June (USDA). The flower opens around sunset and is pollinated by the white-lined sphinx moth. Pale evening primrose helps bees by feeding them (MacDonald).

Ethnobotanical Information ⁷

Throughout the years, the pale evening primrose has been used to create many remedies. A root poultice is used as a treatment to apply on spider bites and bruises (Ky Keon). A syrup made from the flower itself is a common medicine for whooping cough (Keys2Liberty). The pale evening primrose is also linked to helping kidney disease by the Navajo Kayenta tribe (Ky Keon)(BRIT). This flower also has many ceremonial uses for these Native American tribes. Other illnesses that the pale evening primrose has been used to treat include: eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, liver damage created by alcohol, obesity, pre-menstrual tensions and bowel pains. It can also treat acne and brittle nails (Keys2Liberty). (Note: Ethnographic reports often lack important contextual information and relevant traditional ecological knowledge.) Pale evening primrose also has edible uses. The root can be boiled and eaten like salsify. The flowers have been used as a garnish in salads. The most notable use of this plant is the oil extracted from its seeds. This oil has been a “well-known food supplement since the early 1980’s” (Keys2Liberty). The seed contains a substantial amount of gamma-linolenic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid that is important in the production of hormones involved in reproduction, metabolism, and proper functioning of the nervous system.

References ⁹

BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, naeb.brit.org/uses/species/2623/.
Macdonald, Mark. “How to Grow Oenothera | Pale Evening Primrose.” West Coast Seeds, 20 June 2015, www.westcoastseeds.com/how-to-grow-guides/how-to-grow-oenothera/.
“Oenothera Pallida 'Pale Evening Primrose' 300+ SEEDS.” Kykeon Plants, kykeonplants.mysimplestore.com/products/oenothera-pallida-pale-evening-primrose-300-seeds.
“Plants Profile for Oenothera Pallida (Pale Evening Primrose).” Welcome to the PLANTS Database | USDA PLANTS, plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/core/profile? symbol=OEPA.
Shoot. “Oenothera Pallida 'Innocence' Albicaulis Var. Pale Evening Primrose
Southwest, The American. “Oenothera Pallida, Pale Evening Primrose.” Frijoles Canyon - View South: Tyuonyi Overlook Trail, Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico, www.americansouthwest.net/plants/wildflowers/oenothera-pallida.html.
“Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants #35 – Evening Primrose.” Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants, 6 Oct. 2012, keys2liberty.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/wild-edible-and-medicinal-plants-35/.

About the Author ¹⁰

Student author(s)*: Josephine (age 17) from Menaul High School

*The entries in this field guide have been edited by Yerba Mansa Project staff to ensure that they contain quality, fact-checked content and standardized formatting. https://yerbamansaproject.org/

Sources and Credits

(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/4033318387/
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/4034072132/
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/4013431466/
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/6228832246/
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/6712692727/
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/6710501879/
Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) josephine27, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
(c) caseynm, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) caseynm, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

Range Map

iNat Map

Color	white
Uses	medicinal
Type	herb

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