Birdcage Evening Primrose

(Oenothera deltoides)

Birdcage Evening Primrose (Oenothera deltoides)

Bugguyak (talk)

Public domain

Image By: Bugguyak (talk)

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Bugguyak (talk) | License Type: Public domain | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/public-domain/ | Uploader: File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske) | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Dune_Primrose.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description=''[[Oenothera primiveris]]'' subsp. ''bufonis'' off the Old Mojave Road southeast of Little Cowhole Mountain, Mojave National Preserve, California |Source={{own}} |Date=2008-02-18 |Author= [[User:Stan Shebs|Stan Shebs]] |Per

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Oenothera deltoides, commonly known as Birdcage Evening Primrose, is a perennial or annual herb that can be evergreen or semi-deciduous, depending on the climate. It is native to desert washes, sandy plains, and scrublands in the Western United States and Northern Mexico. This plant typically grows to a height of 0.5-1 feet and spreads 1-2 feet wide. The Birdcage Evening Primrose has a distinctive appearance with its grayish-green, basal, deltoid (triangular) leaves and large, showy white flowers that bloom in the evening and fade to pinkish as they age. The flowers are most abundant in the spring and early summer. After flowering, the plant’s stems curl upwards, creating a structure resembling a birdcage, hence the common name.

The Birdcage Evening Primrose is valued for its drought tolerance and unique flowering habit, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and desert gardens. It thrives in full sun to part shade and requires minimal water once established, preferring well-drained soils. While it is not commonly used in traditional garden settings, it can be an interesting addition to rock gardens or naturalized areas. Gardeners should note that this plant may self-seed and spread if conditions are favorable. It is not known for significant disease or pest issues, but root rot can occur in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 0.5-1 feet
Width: 1-1.5 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: White, Pink
Flowering Season: Fall, Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Evergreen, Semi-Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low
Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to desert washes, sandy plains, and scrublands in the Western United States and Northern Mexico

Other Names

Common Names: Basket Evening-Primrose, Birdcage Evening-Primrose, Desert-Lantern, Lion-In-A-Cage, Devil’s-Lantern, Birdcage Eveningprimrose, Dune Primrose, Devil’s Lantern

Scientific Names: , Oenothera deltoides, Oenothera deltoides var. deltoides, Oenothera deltoides var. typica, Oenothera deltoides f. floccosa, Oenothera albicaulis var. decumbens, Oenothera deltoides f. glabrata,

GBIF Accepted Name: Oenothera deltoides Torr. & Frém.