Large-Flower Evening Primrose, Redsepal evening primrose
Oenothera glazioviana

Family: Onagraceae

What it is like

Oenothera glazioviana is a BIENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies), bees. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Not known in the wild.

A hybrid of garden origin, probably O. grandiflora x O. elata.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Root - cooked. Boiled and eaten like salsify. Fleshy and succulent. Young shoots - raw or cooked. Mild and inoffensive Seed contains 28% of a drying oil. It is edible and a very good source of gammalinolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that is not found in many plant sources and has numerous vital functions in the body. Difficult to harvest, it has to be done by hand.

Oil: Oil

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The oil in the seeds is anticholesterolemic, astringent, hypotensive, sedative. Reduces cholesterol levels. Research suggests that the oil is potentially very valuable in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, pre-menstrual tension, hyperactivity etc.

Anticholesterolemic: Prevents the build up of cholesterol.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Hypotensive: Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure

Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.

Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Other

Rating:

Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Prefers a dryish well-drained sandy loam and full sun. Heavy clay soils may induce winter rots. Succeeds on poor soils. The flowers open in the evening, they are richly scented and are very attractive to moths. The seeds are a good food source for birds, especially finches. The plants of this species are of hybrid origin and usually mutate freely. Usually self-sows freely if in a suitable position.

Propagating it: Seed - sow in situ from late spring to early summer.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Biennial

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

O. erythrosepala. Borbas. O. lamarkiana. DeVries. non Ser.