Oenothera riparia (Riverbank Sundrops )

Description

Very rare native perennial has only been documented from the tidal freshwater portions of a few rivers in SC and NC (and possibly VA. Sunny yellow flowers open during the day attracting  bees. butterflies, moths, skippers,  and hummingbirds. The Xerces Society rates Primrose as especially valuable to natives. (Evening Primrose Sweat Bees depend on this and other members of this genus.   It is a larval host of the Pearly Wood Nymph Moth, White Lined Sphinx Moth and numerous other moths. The abundance of caterpillars make them great hunting grounds for mother birds. Birds also feed on the seeds. Members of this genus are eaten as vegetables and were used by Native Anericans to mask their smell when hunting. Plant in average to wet soil in sun to part shade. Pinch to promote bushiness. We propagated our plants from a native population in Colleton Co., SC.
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