SafePlants

Plains Evening Primrose (Camissonia contorta)

The Plains Evening Primrose, with its striking yellow blossoms, is a captivating wildflower commonly found in western North America.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is commonly found on roadsides and in rough ground, areas frequently visited by pets.
• The leaves have toothed edges.
• The plant can be branched and woody below the branches.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Camissonia contorta (Douglas ex Lehm.) Kearney
• Common Names: Plains Evening Primrose, Halfshrub Sundrop, Serrate-Leaved Evening Primrose, Shrubby Evening Primrose, Plains Yellow Primrose, Halfleaf Sundrop, Contorted Pod Evening Primrose, Contorted Pod Suncup, Slender Evening Primrose, Twisted Suncup, Yellow Sundrops, Yellow Evening Primrose.
• Family: Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family)
• Synonym: Oenothera contorta
• Taxonomic Rank: Species

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to western North America, including British Columbia.
• Commonly found on road cuts and other rough ground.
• Grows in well-drained, rocky, gravely, or sandy soils in the plains and open woodlands.
• Observed in locations such as the Great Plains of Montana, eastern plains near Colo. 14 and Weld County Road 90, and shortgrass prairie in Sioux County, Nebraska.

Morphological Characteristics

• Showy yellow flowers with four petals, ranging from 1/8 to 3/4 inch long.
• Blooms from June to August.
• Leaves have even to finely toothed edges.
• Can be a leafy, bushy perennial, growing from 8 to 20 inches tall.
• Branched and woody below the branches.

Ecological Role

• Evening primrose seeds feed a variety of birds.
• The species can be eaten by deer.
• Euproserpinus euterpe (Kern Primrose Sphinx) lay their eggs on a subspecies of the plains evening-primrose.

Further Information

• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
• Discover Life
• Flora of the Great Plains