Oenothera Biennis - evening candle

Oenothera Biennis, generally known as ordinary evening primrose, is a two -year herbaceous plant from the Onagraceae family. Originally native to North America, it has become naturalized in many parts of Europe and Asia. The plant is known for its striking, bright yellow flowers that open in the evening and for its diverse applications in traditional medicine and cosmetics.

morphology

Oenothera Biennis is a robust plant that typically reaches a height of 1 to 1.5 meters. The plant goes through a two -year life cycle: in the first year it forms a rosette close to the ground made of elongated, pointed leaves that can reach a length of 10 to 30 centimeters. In the second year, an upright, branched flower stem develops.

The leaves are lanceolate, alternately arranged and have serrated edges. The inflorescences are tormented and are located at the upper part of the stem. Each flower has four large, bright yellow crown leaves that have a diameter of about 2 to 5 centimeters. The flowers usually open in the evening and remain open until the next morning, which Oenothera Biennis brought in her name "Night Cand". The pollination is mainly done by moths, especially by the enthusiasts, which are attracted to the intensive fragrance and the bright color of the flowers.

After pollination, long, narrow capsule fruits develop, which contain a large number of small, brown seeds. These seeds are spread by the wind and can germinate quickly under favorable conditions.

Distribution and habitat

Oenothera Biennis originally comes from North America, but has spread worldwide because of its adaptability. It was introduced to Europe in the 17th century and is now naturalized in many regions of Europe and Asia. The plant often occurs in disturbed habitats, such as on the side of the road, railway dams, in Brachland, in gravel pits and on banks of rivers.

The ordinary evening primrose is extremely adaptable and thrives on a variety of floors, from sandy and gravel to loamy soils. It prefers sunny locations and can grow in both dry and moderately moist surroundings. Due to its tolerance towards poor soils and its ability to thrive in disturbed ecosystems, it is often seen as a pioneer plant that is able to colonize habitats that are unsuitable for many other plants.

Ecological meaning

Oenothera Biennis plays an important role in the ecosystems in which it occurs. The plant is a valuable source of food for pollinators, especially for moths, but also for bees and other insects that are attracted by the flowers. The seeds of the evening primrose are also of ecological importance because they are eaten by different bird species.

The plant also contributes to the improvement in the ground by fixing nitrogen from the air and brings organic substance into the soil. Their deep taps help to loosen the ground and prevent erosion, which is particularly advantageous in disturbed habitats.

Use and cultivation

Oenothera Biennis is not only appreciated for its ecological importance, but also because of its diverse uses. Various parts of the plant were used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of symptoms, including skin problems, bruises, and inflammatory diseases. The oil, which is obtained from the seeds and is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), is particularly well known, an omega-6 fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory properties. Nighting primrose oil is often used in naturopathy and cosmetic industry, especially for the treatment of skin diseases such as eczema and to promote general skin health.

In horticulture, Oenothera Biennis is cultivated because of its attractive flowers and its ability to colonize difficult locations. The plant is easy to care for and requires little to no fertilization, which makes it an ideal choice for natural gardens and as part of mixed plantings that are supposed to promote pollinators.

Conservation and protection

Since Oenothera Biennis is naturalized in many parts of the world and is slightly widespread, there is currently no danger to the existence of the species. However, it is important to monitor the plant in its natural distribution area to ensure that it does not behave invasively and locals Species displaced. In some regions in which it is not native to it, it can be considered invasive, which requires management measures to control its spread.