Dune Evening Primrose
Oenothera deltoidesDune Evening Primrose is one of the most striking wildflowers of the desert spring bloom. With its large white blossoms and sprawling silvery leaves, it lights up sandy areas like a desert moonflower.
Appearance:
A low-growing perennial or annual that forms a rosette of fuzzy, gray-green leaves. Its large, white flowers open in the late afternoon and glow into the evening, often turning pink as they age. The flowers have four broad petals and can reach up to 2–3 inches across.
Habitat:
Grows in loose, sandy soils—common in dunes, desert flats, and washes. Especially abundant in places like the Coachella Valley, Anza-Borrego, and the Mojave Desert.
Bloom Time:
Blooms from February to May, depending on rainfall and location.
Pollinators:
Attracts moths, especially sphinx moths, which are active at night. The flower's evening bloom time and pale color help it stand out in low light.
Note:
Often found growing alongside Sand Verbena and Desert Gold, Dune Evening Primrose is a key player in desert superblooms. Its graceful, glowing flowers are a reminder that even deserts can put on a dramatic show.
creosote bush scrub, Joshua tree woodland, sand dunes.
The Mojave Desert - Adaptations, Plants
Examples of such wildflowers are sand verbena (Abronia villosa), Mojave aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia), and dune evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides).Desert Dunes - Desert Habitats
At first, dunes appear to be barren, but look closely. Evening primrose, blazing star, and other plants find sufficient moisture. In favorable conditions dunes may ...Peak Blooming Periods for Desert Wildflowers
Best areas: Holtville, Algones Dunes, south of Hwy. 80 between Calexico and Ocotillo. Dominant Species: desert lilies, evening primrose, lupine, phacelia.Desert Scrub Wildlife Habitats
Forbs and grasses may include triangle evening primrose, galleta, big galleta ... 1980) and Partially Stabilized and Stabilized Desert Dunes - 2.3 (Cheatham and ...The Basketmaker of the Desert
Nearly every desert visitor knows Evening Primrose—but not all of them know that the white-ribbed "baskets" so often found rooted in the sand are the dried stalks of this lovely white flower which blossoms at night and ...