Lady of the evening

Oenothera villosa, July 13, 2020

Oenothera villosa, July 13, 2020

Common & scientific name
Hairy evening primrose, Oenothera villosa

Family
Evening primrose, Onograceae

Location
Weller Curve, 9,500

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
This tall, striking primrose, often showing its yellow petals wilted during the day as orange, has a red, hairy stem and hairy leaves.  It can be seen roadside from the bottom of the Pass to about 9,700’ in elevation.  One of the only other families of flowers to have four petals (like the mustards), its flowers open in the evening to invite long-tongued moths in. 

O. villosa, July 28, 2020

O. villosa, July 28, 2020