Flower ID: IMG_1632.JPG-08-05-2017 Flower name (scientific): Oenothera biennis Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) ee-no-THEE-ruh by-EN-iss Flower name (common): Common Evening Primrose Family name (common): Willowherb (Evening primrose) Family name (scientific): Onagraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek oinos for wine, and thera for to imbibe. References a related plant that supposedly encouraged the taste of/for wine. An alternative, based on the OED: Roots of the plant are edible, and were consumed after dinner to enhance the taste of wine. Specific epithet: Latin meaning of two years; biennial. Common name origin: Derived from primerose, denoting a plant of the genus Primula, and evening signifying when the flowers commonly open, that is, late in the day until the following morning. Flower description: Size: 1.0 to 2.0 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) Petal count: 4 Color: Yellow Other: flower arrangement, Spike Plant description: Size: 24 to 72 inches (61 to 183 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is basal and alternate, type is simple Size: Basal leaves up to 30 cm long and 5 cm wide. Cauline leaves up to 22 cm long and 5 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, lanceolate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): July to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Biennial or perennial. Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields, prairies, thickets, streambanks, roadsides, sun or part shade, dry to mesic. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): The closest lookalike is Oenothera parviflora (Northern Evening Primrose). O. parviflora has a flower size of 19 to 38 mm, and a ridge near the sepal tip, whereas O. biennis has a flower size of 25 to 51 mm, and no ridge structure near the sepal tip. Ethnobotany: The Ojibwe used the whole plant to make a poultice that was employed to cure bruises (Smith, p. 376, 1932). The Potawatomi used the seeds of this plant for medicine for unspecified ailments (Smith, p. 64, 1933). Latitude: 44.794577 Longitude: -91.495420 Altitude: 268.40 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV) In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na