ONAGRACEAE EVENING PRIMROSE FAMILY 
MEADOW SUNDROPS 
Oenothera pratensis (Small) Robinson 
The Meadow Sundrops is closely related and very similar 
to the Evening Primrose, page 210, but it is perennial and its 
large and handsome yellow flowers open in the morning instead 
of evening. It can easily be grown 
under cultivation and will be ad- 
mired in any flower garden. It grows 
in open places and rather low grounds 
from Ohio and Iowa south to Arkan- 
sas, and blooms from June to August. 
The stem is 1-2 % feet high, often 
branching near the top, and is 
covered with long, soft, widely 
spreading hairs. The leaves are 
oblong-lanceolate, one-half to three- 
quarters of an inch long, and slightly 
coarse or stiff hairy on both surfaces. 
Flowers on the upper part of the 
stem are terminal, and the lower 
ones are produced in the axils of 
decidedly leaflike bracts. As in all 
members of the family, the flower 
parts are attached above the ovary. 
The calyx tube is slender and ends 
in 4 lobes which are finally reflexed. 
The 4 large bright yellow petals 
and 4 long stamens alternating with 
4 short are attached to the calyx 
tube. The style is slender and the 
stigma 4-cleft. The capsule is some- 
what club shaped, 4-angled, promi- 
nently winged and very hairy. The seeds are numerous. 
\ Cc 
The Common Sundrops, Oenothera fruticosa L., is very similar 
and the two are often confused. This plant, however, grows in 
drier soil and is ordinarily less hairy or nearly smooth. The spikes 
are on naked peduncles. The capsule is oblong, winged and either 
hairy or smoothish. This species is found on dry sandy soil from 
southern New England to South Carolina, and also in Ohio, Michi- 
gan and Indiana. 
211 
