Common Evening-Primrose

Common Evening-Primrose (Oenothera biennis) is in the evening primrose family family (Onagraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,285 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.

Nationally it blooms mainly from July to October, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Common Evening-Primrose: observations by month (U.S.)

About Common Evening-Primrose

Oenothera biennis (common evening-primrose, evening star, sundrop, weedy evening primrose, German rampion, hog weed, King's cure-all, or fever-plant.) is a species of Oenothera native to eastern and central North America, from Newfoundland west to Alberta, southeast to Florida, and southwest to Texas, and widely naturalized elsewhere in temperate and subtropical regions. Evening primrose oil is produced from the plant.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Common Evening-Primrose by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (evening primrose family)

FireweedChamaenerion angustifolium

California fuchsiaEpilobium canum

PinkladiesOenothera speciosa

BrowneyesChylismia claviformis

Ruby Chalice ClarkiaClarkia rubicunda

Winecup ClarkiaClarkia purpurea

California primroseEulobus californicus

Broadleaf Enchanter's NightshadeCircaea canadensis

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ