Bloomipedia
Common evening-primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Photo: Sandy Wolkenberg via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Common evening-primrose

Oenothera biennis

Native to New Jersey

Common evening-primrose is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In New Jersey it's most often seen in bloom in July–November.

43states
1,181NJ sightings*
14,787U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: New Jersey

Quick look

Oenothera biennis, the common evening-primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Onagraceae, native to eastern and central North America, from Newfoundland west to Alberta, southeast to Florida, and southwest to Texas, and widely naturalized elsewhere in temperate and subtropical regions. Evening primrose oil is produced from the plant.

  • It belongs to the Onagraceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a biennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 43 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to New Jersey. NatureServe
  • In New Jersey, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in July–November. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as yellow. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 5 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 1,181 research-grade sightings of it in New Jersey, ranking #79 among the 110 flowers on our New Jersey list. iNaturalist

Common evening-primrose gift ideas

Handmade common evening-primrose gifts from independent makers.

When does it bloom?

In New Jersey, most flowering sightings come in July–November.

Flowering records by month in New Jersey (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (79 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
New Jersey
Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). NatureServe: S5, secure in New Jersey. N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: KS (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no edibility or poison notes on its page), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people. NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records common evening-primrose in 43 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin; District of Columbia.

New Jersey counties with USDA records: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren.

More New Jersey flowers

Sources