I immediately knew that I was looking at an Oenothera, as the four large petals and four-parted stigma are diagnostic characteristics. I'd seen Oenothera speciosa along roadsides south and west of Indiana, but I didn't think this species occurred in the state. Shows what I know. While it isn't known from the Indiana counties of the Chicago Region, Showy Evening Primrose, or Pinkladies as it is more affectionately known, is found as an introduced plant in a few scattered counties throughout the state. I collected a specimen and keyed it out in my hotel room Friday night, and sure enough, I was looking at Oenothera speciosa. Pinkladies can be found within much of the southern half of North America, and is often planted in highway wildflower plantings. The flowers are often more pink than they are in this population.
2 comments:
It's always exciting to find a "new" wildflower! Nice!
I was sure excited. Thanks for visiting our blog.
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