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
npin special value to native bees attract hummingbirds synonymous w/ o fruticosa ssp. glauca
rare freshwater tidal swamps..SE VA-
my obs
acidic moist
southernmost population.
not previusly reported
Evening Primroses “a pound of the root of evening primroses gives more strength than a quintal of beef.” root was thought to be very nutritive’ Native Americans rubbed it on their moccasins to mask their smell and get closer to animals day shift of evening primrose. magical power to make hunters lucky,(north creek nursery www.
www.pfaf.org/use/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Oenothera biennis is used medicianlly and edible added to cosmetics formerly cultivated for edible roots

common garden vegetable in Germany www.eattheweeds.com/oenothera-biennis-foraging-standby root cooked, leaves eaten by Cherokees buds eaten raw or cooked o fruticosa leaves eaten as potherb
compare to O. fruticosa

www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/cm_primrosex.htm
moths, hummbingbirds, honeybees, bumblebees, primrose miner bees, caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage. pearly wood nymbphy grape leaffolder moth. white-lined sphinx momphid mothl beetles. seeds eaten by goldfinches

www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/sm_sundrops.htm
bees, skipppers, butterflies,
halictid bee, specialist pollinator Lasioglossum oenotherae
larval pearly wood nymph
blooms during the day

www.wildflower.org O fruticosa special value to native bees
fresh to brackish water 2 counties in VA
Pearly Wood Nymph
https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Eudryas-unio
https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Eudryas-unio