prairie wildflower
Bigfruit evening primrose
Oenothera macrocarpa
Also known as Bigfruit Evening-primrose, Missouri Evening-primrose, Fluttermill, Big-fruit Evening-primrose, Missouri Primrose
1 of 2Native to Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas
Southeastern Nebraska to Texas, east to Tennessee; introduced elsewhere
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 4–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Aug Flowering time
- Height 8–10 in 20–25 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and lean, dry soil. Its yellow flowers peak in May. At 8–10 in, it tucks into meadows and sunny borders. Hardy in USDA zones 4–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Bigfruit evening primrose's yellow flowers bloom April to August, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws bees and moths.
Bigfruit evening primrose blooms yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee also Agapostemon texanus, Golden Sweat Bee
- Moths White-lined Sphinx
- Wasps Golden Paper Wasp
- Also visited by
- Beetles: Acmaeodera quadrivittatoides
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and TexasUnited States (7): AR, KS, MO, NE, OK, TN, TX. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Southeastern Nebraska to Texas, east to Tennessee; introduced elsewhereThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9 · Canadian 5–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Rocky, gravelly, or sandy soils. Calcareous, Sandy, Limestone-based, Sandy Loam, Medium LoamThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Water use
- LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- 8–10 in (20–25 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–AugWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Feb–AugThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.