Oenothera caespitosa

Family: Onagraceae (Evening-primrose Family)

Perennial herbs from taproots; stems to 2' (6 dm) long

Leaves: leaves in a basal rosette with some leaves possibly alternate along stem; simple; margin entire, toothed, lobed or cleft to the midline; 0.6” to 12” (1.5 to 30 cm) long, 0.2” to 1.6” (0.5 to 4 cm) wide

Flowers: 4 white petals, 4 sepals; 8 stamens; stigma 4 lobed; bisexual; usually radially symmetrical; fragrant; petals 0.8” to 2.4” (2 to 6 cm) long; flowers are usually open in late afternoon or evening; petals fade to pink after pollination

Pollinators: hawkmoths (White-lined sphinx moth - Hyles ), and bees (specifically Lasioglossum, Centris, Xylocopa, Andrena)

Fruits: 4 chambered capsule

Blooms in Arches National Park: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, early November

Habitat in Arches National Par : desert shrub, grassland and pinyon-juniper communities

Location seen: park road mile 0 to 8

Other: The genus name, “Oenothera”, means “wine-scented” and refers to the use of the roots in winemaking. The species name, “caespitosa”, means “low growing” and refers to the stature of the plant flowers.