Pollinator plant

Evening Primrose

Oenothera biennis

Linked agroforestry plant data
Pollinator recipe
Bee value

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

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Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous
Size
Small
Dimensions
1.20 m high × 0.00 m wide
Lifecycle
Biennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-8
Moisture
Well-drained, Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Flowers, Leaves, Oil, Root, Seed capsule
Functions
Cosmetic, Dye, Oil, Pollinator plant, Fragrant
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
5 out of 5

Cooked carrots are often eaten as salsify or parsnips due to their fleshy, sweet, peppery, and juicy flavor, and because they are healthy and nutritious. Young shoots, both raw and cooked, also have a peppery taste, but due to their sliminess, it is recommended to consume them in moderation or even avoid them altogether. The sweet flowers of the plant can be used in salads or as a garnish. The young seed pods can be boiled or steamed, and the seeds are a good source of gamma-linolenic acid. However, harvesting the small seeds is difficult and labor-intensive, resulting in generally low yields, and therefore the product is considered expensive.