large-flowered evening-primrose

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• garden evening-primrose
• red-sepaled evening-primrose
• Large Evening Primrose
• Large-Flowered Evening-Primrose
• large-flower evening-primrose
• Large-flowered evening primrose
• redsepal evening primrose

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Oenothera erythrosepala
• Oenothera glazioviana f. rubricalyx
• Oenothera grandiflora subsp. erythrosepala
• Oenothera crassifolia var. leptocarpa
• Onagra gigas
• Oenothera oblonga
• Oenothera multiflora
• Oenothera albida
• Oenothera fatua
• Oenothera erythrosepala var. azorica
• Oenothera gigantea
• Oenothera fusiformis
• Oenothera lata
• Oenothera laevifolia
• Onagra laevifolia
• Oenothera liquida
• Oenothera suaveolens f. erythrocephala
• Oenothera grandiflora subsp. erythrocephala
• Oenothera gigas
• Oenothera multiflora var. elliptica
• Oenothera gigas
• Oenothera rubrinervoides
• Oenothera tardiflora
• Oenothera elliptica
• Oenothera rubritincta
• Oenothera vana
• Oenothera pallescens
• Oenothera cana
• Oenothera superflua
• Oenothera leptocarpa
• Oenothera bipartita
• Oenothera scintillans
• Oenothera candicans
• Oenothera spathulata
• Oenothera militaris
• Oenothera rubrinervis
• Oenothera pulla
• Oenothera semilata
• Oenothera scindens
• Oenothera nanella
• Oenothera tarda
• Oenothera rubricalyx
• Oenothera oxypetala
• Onagra nanella
• Onagra rubrinervis
• Oenothera subovata
• Oenothera sublinearis
• Onagra erythrosepala
• Oenothera blandina
• Oenothera brevistylis
• Oenothera aberrans
• Oenothera vrieseana
• Oenothera plicatula
• Oenothera coronifera

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Myrtales and the family Onagraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Oenothera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Oenothera glazioviana, exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within Northern Europe. Its distribution includes the coastal and inland regions of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving further north, the species can also be found across the Scandinavian Peninsula. Specifically, it inhabits parts of Norway and Sweden. Finally, its presence extends to the territory of Denmark, completing its northern European footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Oenothera glazioviana is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 1475 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, as it is found inhabiting diverse environments ranging from the humid conditions of the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial) to the specialized coastal ecosystems of the Restinga.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1475 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Oenothera glazioviana is characterized by a biennial lifecycle, typically completing its developmental stages over a two-year period. Its biological structure is defined by a dual life form classification, manifesting as both a hemicryptophyte and a therophyte depending on the specific environmental conditions and stage of growth. In terms of its seasonal physiological changes, the plant exhibits variable deciduousness, adapting its foliage retention to the specific requirements of its habitat.

Deciduousness :

variable

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Morphology

The morphology of Oenothera glazioviana is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial, independent plant lacks any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, growing directly in soil rather than as a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. It is a self-supporting species, neither a vine nor a liana, maintaining an erect shoot orientation. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in height, ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 1.8 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.8665 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.8 m

Plant height mean:

0.8665 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Oenothera glazioviana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate herbaceous species. As a non-carnivorous plant, it relies on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than insectivory, and it does not possess the biological capacity for nitrogen fixation. The leaf morphology plays a significant role in its resource management, featuring an elliptic form with a mean leaf size of 56.4725 cm². The dimensions of these leaves vary, with a minimum length of 13 cm reaching a maximum of 30 cm, while the width ranges from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 5 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 4.5 cm. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 240.5 cm²/g, reflecting its internal leaf structure and its strategy for balancing light interception with water-use efficiency and biomass investment.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length min:

13 cm

Leaf size mean:

56.4725 cm²

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

240.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Oenothera glazioviana is characterized by sexual reproduction through bisexual flowers, with asexual reproduction being absent. The flowering period is quite extended, typically beginning in June and concluding in October. These yellow flowers, which range in length from 4 cm to 5 cm, rely on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically involving insects such as bees. While self-fertilization is present, the plant's reproductive success is supported by these insect visitors. Following pollination, the plant develops dry, dehiscient capsules as its fruit type. These capsules vary in size, with a mean length of 2.5 cm (ranging from 2 cm to 3.5 cm) and a width between 0.5 cm and 0.6 cm. Each fruit is highly prolific, containing more than 1000 seeds. The seeds themselves are small and uniform, maintaining a consistent length of 1.85 mm and a mean volume of 1.2 mm³. The seed mass is minimal, with a mean of approximately 0.0004887858 g and a maximum of 0.00069 g. Dispersal is achieved through unspecialized and anthropochorous syndromes, allowing the seeds to spread within their environment.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

5 cm

Flower length min:

4 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

3.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.5 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

1.85 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00069 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0004887858 g

Seed mass min:

0 g

Seed volume max:

1.2 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Oenothera glazioviana has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Oenothera glazioviana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-Hydroxy-4-methylpentan-2-one, Oenothein B.

4-Hydroxy-4-methylpentan-2-one

1. Plant diversity

Oenothein B

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Oenothera glazioviana has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Phytotoxic.

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Plant diversity

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antitumor

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Phytotoxic

1. Plant diversity

Preparations

Oenothera glazioviana has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)