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Onagraceae
Birdcage Evening Primrose
Oenothera deltoides
Desert resilience.
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Genus
- Oenothera
- Native to
- Southwestern United States, Mexico
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- annual
- Height
- 0.3-1 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- Sandy, well-drained desert soil
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 6-10
- Lifespan
- annual
Did you know
- The dried skeleton of the plant curls inward to form a cage-like structure, giving it the 'birdcage' name.
- The flowers open in the evening and are pollinated by hawkmoths that visit during the night.
- This primrose can bloom prolifically after desert rainstorms, carpeting sand dunes in white.
- The curled dead plant acts as a tumbleweed, rolling across the desert to disperse seeds.
- Large white flowers can reach up to 3 inches across, glowing in the moonlight to attract nocturnal pollinators.
Color meanings
0
patience
1
silent strength