Oenothera fruticosa

Oenothera fruticosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Onagraceae
Genus:	Oenothera
Species:	O. fruticosa
Binomial name
	Oenothera fruticosa; L.

Oenothera fruticosa, the narrowleaf evening primrose^[1] or narrow-leaved sundrops, is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family.

It is native to much of eastern North America,^[2] where it is found in a variety of open habitats, including dry woodlands, rock outcrops and moist savannas.

It is an erect herbaceous perennial growing to 20–90 cm (8–35 in) tall, with alternative, simple, entire or slightly toothed leaves. The saucer- or cup-shaped yellow flowers, 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) in diameter, appear in late spring and summer.^[3] The fruit is a capsule that is strongly 4-angled or winged and shaped like a club.

Many varieties have been named, but the infraspecific taxonomy of this species is still in an unresolved state.

Description

Oenothera fruticosa is an evening primrose which stands in a height range of 16-36 inches and is a perennial wildflower. Leaves are alternating and lance-shaped, growing 2-3 inches and pubescent. The stem is straight, pubescent, and ranges in color from red-green. The petals are rounded and 1-2 inches long. Flowering is in spring to early summer.

Taxonomy

This species was originally described by Carl Linnaeus, which is identified in the name of the species as the authority "L." . The taxonomy of this plant is complex and at times confusing as illustrated by the numerous synonyms, forms, and varieties.

Synonyms for Oenothera fruticosa:

Oenothera fruticosa f. angustifolia H.Lév.
Oenothera fruticosa var. differta Millsp.
Oenothera fruticosa f. diversifolia H.Lév.
Oenothera fruticosa var. eamesii S.F.Blake
Oenothera fruticosa var. goodmanii Munz
Oenothera fruticosa f. hirsuta (Nutt.) H.Lév.
Oenothera fruticosa var. humifusa C.K.Allen
Oenothera fruticosa var. incana (Nutt.) Hook.
Oenothera fruticosa f. incana (Nutt.) Voss
Oenothera fruticosa var. linearifolia Hook.
Oenothera fruticosa var. linearis (Michx.) S.Watson
Oenothera fruticosa f. lucida H.Lév.
Oenothera fruticosa var. maculata H.Lév.
Oenothera fruticosa var. microcarpa Fernald
Oenothera fruticosa f. phyllopus (Hook.) Voss
Oenothera fruticosa var. phyllopus Hook.
Oenothera fruticosa var. pilosella Small & A.Heller
Oenothera fruticosa f. sessilicarpa H.Lév.
Oenothera fruticosa var. subglobosa (Small) Munz
Oenothera fruticosa var. vera Hook.
Oenothera hybrida var. ambigua (Nutt.) S.F.Blake
Oenothera incana Nutt.
Oenothera linearis Michx.
Oenothera linearis var. angustifolia Pursh
Oenothera linearis var. brevifolia Pursh
Oenothera linearis var. eamesii B.L.Rob.
Oenothera longipedicellata (Small) B.L.Rob.
Oenothera mollissima Walter
Oenothera riparia Nutt.
Oenothera serotina Sweet
Oenothera subglobosa (Small) Weath. & Griscom
Oenothera subglobosa var. arenicola Weath. & Griscom
Oenothera tetragona var. riparia (Nutt.) Munz
Oenothera tetragona var. velutina (Pennell) Munz
Onagra linkiana Spach
Sphaerostigma arenicola A.Nelson

Distribution and habitat

The Oenothera fruticosa has a wide range in the United States which consists of the eastern seaboard (New York- Florida) and as far west as Oklahoma. Within these regions, Oenothera fruticosa prefers lower elevations. In the state of North Carolina which is within its range, this species is found widely around the state except in the mountainous regions.Oenothera fruticosa grows best in sunny areas that have mostly acidic soil conditions and good drainage (sandy soils). The common sundrop is relatively resilient to drought, shade, extreme heat, and varying soil pH. Oenothera fruticosa is mostly found in grassy clearings, meadows, and along roadways in its native range .

Conservation status

Oenothera fruticosa is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut.^[4]

Uses

The Cherokee parboil the leaves, rinse them and cook in hot grease as a potherb.^[5] In the modern day, the narrow-leaved sundrop is primarily a garden specimen. Historically Oenothera fruticosa was used by Native American tribes for a multitude of ailments. The tribes that used this species included the Iroquois, Cherokee, and Ojibwa.^[6] Although the tribes differ, the reasons that they used the narrow-leaf evening primrose, were similar. Its uses included helping with stomach issues, weightloss, bruising, and hemorrhoids.^[6] It is unknown at this time if Oenothera fruticosa is medically effective. Oenothera fruticosa has been included in research for breast cancer.^[6]

As a garden specimen the narrow-leaved sundrop is used in a variety of different ways. For landscaping, Oenothera fruticosa is used as a barrier or border plant.^[7] Not only is the narrow-leaved sundrop used in landscaping, but gardeners include this plant in pollinator gardens, rock gardens, cottage gardens, and native gardens for their ability to attract pollinators and their beautiful yellow petals.^[7] Oenothera fruticosa is a host plant of the pearly wood nymph, momphid moths, and primrose moths.^[7] The seeds of Oenothera fruticosa are consumed by birds including the eastern goldfinch and mourning dove.^[7]

Pollinators

The most common pollinator of Oenothera fruticosa are bees.^[8] Specific species of bees, such as Melissodes frimbriatus and Lasioglossum oenothera, seem to specialize on Oenothera fruticosa.^[9] In addition to these specialized pollinators, Oenothera fruticosa also attracts songbirds, hummingbirds, and an array of non-bee pollinators to its yellow petals.^[9] Oenothera fruticosa is susceptible to heterospecific pollen transfer from pollinators.^[10]

Seed morphology and propagation

The seeds of Oenothera fruticosa are approximately 1-3 mm long and are arranged in two rows within each locule. They also contain a persistent endotegmen that is one cell layer thick.^[11] In shape, the seeds are club-like and taper near the stem.^[12] The capsule of Oenothera fruticosa is approximately 1 inch in width and are visible May through November.^[13] The plants can be propagated by taking tip cuttings and is best conducted with adult plants at the beginning of its growing season (early spring) or late in its growing season (fall).^[12] Seeds must be planted in spring or fall and need to be germinated at approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit.^[12]

References

^ Oenothera fruticosa L., USDA PLANTS
^ "Floristic synthesis map" (PNG). Bonap.net. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1-4053-3296-5.
^ "Plants Profile for Oenothera fruticosa (narrowleaf evening primrose)". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
^ Perry, Myra Jean, 1975, Food Use of 'Wild' Plants by Cherokee Indians, The University of Tennessee, M.S. Thesis, page 49
^ ^a ^b ^c "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Oenothera fruticosa (Narrow-leaf Evening Primrose, Southern Sundrops, Sundrops) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2021-10-13.
^ Silander, John A.; Primack, Richard B. (1978). "Pollination Intensity and Seed Set in the Evening Primrose (Oenothera fruticosa)". The American Midland Naturalist. 100 (1): 213–216. doi:10.2307/2424791. ISSN 0003-0031. JSTOR 2424791.
^ ^a ^b "Oenothera fruticosa (Narrow-leaf Evening Primrose, Southern Sundrops, Sundrops) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2021-10-13.
^ Smith, Gerard X.; Swartz, Mark T.; Spigler, Rachel B. (2021). "Causes and consequences of variation in heterospecific pollen receipt in Oenothera fruticosa". American Journal of Botany. 108 (9): 1612–1624. doi:10.1002/ajb2.1720. ISSN 1537-2197. PMC 9291898. PMID 34460097.
^ Tobe, Hiroshi; Wagner, Warren L.; Chin, Hui-Chen (1987). "A Systematic and Evolutionary Study of Oenothera (Onagraceae): Seed Coat Anatomy". Botanical Gazette. 148 (2): 235–257. doi:10.1086/337652. ISSN 0006-8071. JSTOR 2995479. S2CID 86776463.
^ ^a ^b ^c "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
^ "Oenothera fruticosa (Narrow-leaf Evening Primrose, Southern Sundrops, Sundrops) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2021-10-13.