Cut-leaf evening primrose from Diane, SC

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Hi, Dr. Hill,
This plant is a volunteer in a mulched part of our yard along the edge of the woods in the SC fall line region. I can’t find any information about it. It has orange colored buds that remain tightly closed during the day, but they open at night to reveal yellow flowers that are about 1-1/4 inches in diameter. It has been blooming since the very end of June. I superimposed a photo taken Aug. 18 of a flower and a bud. Thank you.

Hi Diane,

this is another species of Evening primrose, and the best I can do is to call it Oenothera laciniata – because of the wavy-margined leaves.   This is a variable species, so I think it fits within the variation. The evening primroses always have only 4 petals – a help in identifying them.

Sincerely,

Steve Hill, Botanist, SCNPS

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