Cleland’s Evening Primrose (Oenothera clelandii)

Oenothera clelandii · Evening Primrose family (Onagraceae)

Cleland’s Evening Primrose grows in sandy fields and prairies. Its yellow flowers open near sunset. Look for four petals that often taper to a point and a leafy spike tip that usually rises above the mature flower buds.

Field photographs

These five views show one plant growing on open sand at Illinois Beach State Park. Its flower shape and the position of its buds suggest Cleland’s Evening Primrose. The identification is probable.

Four yellow petals and upright buds with short, separate tips — Flowers and bud tips of a probable Cleland’s Evening Primrose at Illinois Beach State Park.

Yellow evening primrose flowers below the leafy tip of the spike — Flowering spike of a probable Cleland’s Evening Primrose at Illinois Beach State Park.

Unopened green buds along a reddish stem above yellow flowers — Upper stem and buds of a probable Cleland’s Evening Primrose at Illinois Beach State Park.

A slender flowering evening primrose growing in exposed sand — Plant in open sand of a probable Cleland’s Evening Primrose at Illinois Beach State Park.

A flowering evening primrose among scattered grasses on an open dune — Dune habitat of a probable Cleland’s Evening Primrose at Illinois Beach State Park.

Chiwaukee Prairie, Wisconsin

These eight photographs show a probable colony of Cleland’s Evening Primrose. The first two views show the same plants, first among the prairie grasses and then close enough to see the flowers and buds.

Pale yellow flowers scattered among prairie grasses — Prairie colony at Chiwaukee Prairie, Wisconsin.

Open yellow flowers below a cluster of upright green buds — Flowering spike at Chiwaukee Prairie, Wisconsin.

A flowering evening primrose with leafy side branches — Flowering plant at Chiwaukee Prairie, Wisconsin.

Yellow flowers spreading outward around a leafy green tip — Flowers and buds at Chiwaukee Prairie, Wisconsin.

Four-petaled yellow flowers on long, slender floral tubes — Side view of flowers at Chiwaukee Prairie, Wisconsin.

Side-facing flowers showing the stigma and pollen-bearing anthers — Flower centers at Chiwaukee Prairie, Wisconsin.

Yellow evening primrose flowers with pointed petal tips — Pointed petals at Chiwaukee Prairie, Wisconsin.

Open flowers, upright buds and fading blooms on a single spike — Flower cluster at Chiwaukee Prairie, Wisconsin.

Identification

Look at a freshly opened flower from the side. In Cleland’s Evening Primrose, the pollen-bearing anthers surround the stigma. In the similar Oenothera rhombipetala, the stigma extends well beyond them. Mature capsules of Cleland’s are narrow, about 10–20 mm long and 2–3 mm wide.

Species description in Flora of North America

Back to the Wildflower Guide

Cleland’s Evening Primrose (Oenothera clelandii)

Field photographs

Chiwaukee Prairie, Wisconsin

Identification

Like this:

Refine your search

Cleland’s Evening Primrose (Oenothera clelandii)

Field photographs

Chiwaukee Prairie, Wisconsin

Identification

Share this:

Like this:

Refine your search