Showy Evening Primrose

Description:

It is a native, herbaceous perennial wildflower. It has mostly smooth stems that grow to 50 cm in height. The leaves are alternate with very short or no petiole (sessile), reaching 10 cm long to 4 cm broad. They are variable in shape, from linear to obovate, and are toothed or wavy-edged. It produces single, four-petaled, cup-shaped flowers on the upper leaf axils. These fragrant shell-pink flowers bloom throughout the summer into early autumn. The 1.5–2 in (3.8–5.1 cm) flowers start out white and grow pink as they age. The flower throats, as well as the stigmas and stamens, have a soft yellow color. It blooms both day and night.

Habitat:

The plant's habitat includes rocky prairies, open woodlands, slopes, roadsides, meadows and disturbed areas. This wild plant was growing in open woods in a park near a small stream in Gastonia, NC.

Notes:

It is known by several common names, including pink ladies, pink evening primrose, showy evening primrose, Mexican primrose, and amapola.