Evening Primrose a True Treasure of the West

Evening Primrose (Oenothera)

Commonly known as Tree Primrose and Flor de San Juan.




A tall, impressive plant, the Evening Primrose lines the roadways and ditchbanks of the southwest from mid to late summer. In early summer the blossoms do open only in the evening, but once it begins its full showy bloom, you can see the flowers open all day and into the night. It is a biennial, blooming the second year and creating seed pods to reseed themselves. The flowers are easily identified, it's difficult to miss the yellow, white, and pink flowers that turn a reddish orange as they fade. The blooms stand atop a 4 to 5 foot  tall stalk.


Primrose has variable medicinal effects, depending on the variety and personal sensitivities. It can act as a laxative, a sedative, thyroid support, and supress PMS and menopause symptoms. It can also be used as an anti inflammatory and for muscle pain relief. The seeds contain gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), which can be used in place of fish oil supplements. GLA is an essential fatty acid that is known to prevent hardening of the arteries, heart disease, eczema, cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure and has even had some success in treating multiple sclerosis symptoms.


This plant was a staple food for many Native American tribes, the root was boiled and the leaves can be eaten raw or boiled. The Evening Primrose is one of the few widespread, wild root vegetables of the West. The root is best eaten in the first year of the plant.


The Evening Primrose is one of the unexpected treasures of the desert Southwest. This beautiful, helpful plant takes you by suprise when it begins to flower and the plants are available well into the fall. It is a common plant, prolific and is one that is mild and should be tried!


Update on the Peru trip preparations- My fundraising is taking on a life of its own! I have had donations of over $2000! I have such heartfelt gratitude to everyone that has helped, I am truly humbled by the support of my community. My community is you, online and those in my neighborhood! My community spans the globe, which is my intention! I will be holding a raffle beginning this week, tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. The gifts that are to be given have all been donated by those that believe in the vision of this trip, to bring the wisdom of the indiginous into our community, and to help the Shipibo people in return. I will post more details on donors and gifts, over $500 worth of donations!! 
There is so much love and support coming to me for this vision, I thank you all!