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primrose
primrose botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

primrose

Oenothera biennis

Honeybees forage on this plant in the early morning for its abundant pollen, often visible as long yellow strands on their legs, and moderate nectar before the flowers close by midday; peak bloom occurs from midsummer through early fall; as a biennial, it self-seeds prolifically and may require management to prevent it from becoming weedy in gardens.

Nectarmedium
Pollenhigh
BloomJune–September
USDA zones4-9
TypePerennial
Sunfull
NativeEastern North America
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