Scientific Family
Onagraceae
Synonyms
Oenothera chamaenerioides, eremothera chamaenerioides
Other common names
long-capsuled primrose
willow-herb primrose
fireweed suncup
willowherb suncup
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
3 to 20 inches
Riparian
No
A small herb with basal leaves and erect, red stems, usually branched near the base. Nodding inflorescence of tiny white flowers at the end of the stems.
Petals about 1/8 inch long, spatulate; style shorter than the petals. Capsules cylindric, linear, straight or nearly so. Flowers white in terminal spikes.
Habitat
Sandy slopes and flats in desert scrub habitats to 4000 feet.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
4000
Flower Characteristics
Inflorescence produces several tiny flowers, each with white petals less than 1/8 inch long and drying to dull red. Inflorescence is nodding before bloom.
Flower color
White to reddish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves narrow, lance-shaped or oval, up to 3 inches and marked with red dots. Stem is erect, hairy, reddish in color and up to 20 inches tall.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The fruit is a capsule, 1 to 2 inches long. Capsule is split lengthwise into two parts.
Fruit type
Capsule
Seeds less than 3/8 inch long, 1/16 inch thick, minutely pitted in rows.