NPS Photo/Tiffany Zadi Lavender-Leaf SundropCalylophus lavandulifolius Common Names: Lavender-Leaf Primrose, Lavenderleaf Sundrop General DescriptionA low growing plant in the evening primrose family, with small, inconspicuous stems and leaves, though it is easily spotted when in bloom because of the large yellow flowers, up to 2 inches wide, at the tip of slender tubes of up to 5 inches. The leaves wither to orange then purple and buds are greenish, striped with red. Leaves and stems also have a covering of short, greyish hairs. Unlike many other evening primrose species, Lavender-Leaf Sundrops bloom during the day, and often forms colonies of dozens of plants. HabitatMixed desert shrub up into pinyon juniper woodland and ponderosa pine forest communities. Grows as far north as South Dakota and up to an elevation of 8,500 feet (2,600 m) in the southewest. Prefers rocky, sandy soil. Plant LoreOenothera (an alternative spelling to Onagra) means "wine-scenting" or "wine-seeker" referring to the practice of scenting wines, which is what the roots of this plant were used for, historically. The young shoots, fruit and seeds have experimentally been used throughout history for ailments ranging from eczema to migraines. Further ReadingiNaturalist - Lavender-Leaf Sundrops |
Last updated: April 30, 2023