Characteristics

The evening primrose is a nocturnal plant that can be found throughout the Four Corners region, especially in early summer when it blooms. Its'delicate 4-petaled flowers open in the evening and wilt soon after the sun rises; thus its name. The flowers range in color from white to pink to yellow. Most evening primroses are low growing and essentially stemless, with many basal rosette leaves.

Ethnobotany

The leaves, roots, and shoots of the evening primrose are all edible, but little evidence remains to indicate that this plant was utilized by the Ancestral Puebloan people of the Four Corners area. However, there are many references to its use as a medicine by the historic people of the region. The Navajo people have made liniments from the evening primrose plant to treat boils and sore muscles, and poultices for throat troubles. The evening primrose is a Navajo Life Medicine. The Hopi have used this plant to make remedies for sore eyes and toothaches and poultices for rapid healing. The flowers have also been used in various ceremonies.

Notes

The University of Michigan-Dearborn Native American Ethnobotany Database
http://www.umd.umich.edu/cgi-bin/herb

Flowers of the Southwest Deserts by Natt N. Dodge and Jeanne R. Janish

Sagebrush Country, A Wildflower Sanctuary by Ronald J. Taylor

Wild Plants and Native Peoples of the Four Corners by William W. Dunmire & Gail D. Tierney

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