Oenothera serrulata

Last updated

Oenothera serrulata
Calylophus serrulatus 1.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Onagraceae
Genus: Oenothera
Species:
O. serrulata
Binomial name
Oenothera serrulata
Synonyms [2]
List
    • Calylophus australis
    • Calylophus drummondiana
    • Calylophus nuttallii
    • Calylophus serrulata
    • Meriolix drummondiana
    • Meriolix intermedia
    • Meriolix oblanceolata
    • Meriolix serrulata
    • Meriolix spinulosa
    • Oenothera leucocarpa
    • Oenothera spinulosa

Oenothera serrulata is a species of flowering plant in the Onagraceae known by the common name yellow sundrops. Other common names include halfshrub sundrop, [3] serrate-leaved evening primrose, shrubby evening primrose, plains yellow primrose, and halfleaf sundrop. [4] It is native to central North America, including central Canada and the central United States. [1]

This plant is a subshrub that branches and forms a bushy clump up to 46 centimetres (18 inches) tall. The toothed leaves are up to 8.9 centimetres (3.5 inches) long. The yellow flowers bloom between March and November and have four petals. [4] They open in the morning and close in the afternoon. They fade orange or pink with age. The fruit is a cylindrical capsule. [3] It grows in dry, open plains and prairies. [5]

This drought- and heat-tolerant species grows in many types of substrate, including caliche, limestone, and gypsum. [3] The leaves turn so that their edges face the sun, an adaptation to hot conditions. [4]

Taxonomy

Oenothera serrulata was scientifically described and named by Thomas Nuttall in 1818. It is classifed in the genus Oenothera within the Onagraceae family. It has no accepted subspecies or varieties, but it has 27 synonyms according to Plants of the World Online. [2]

Table of Synonyms [2]
NameYearRankNotes
Calylophus australisTowner & Raven1970species= het.
Calylophus drummondianaSpach1835species= het.
Calylophus nuttalliiSpach1835species≡ hom., nom. superfl.
Calylophus serrulata(Nutt.) P.H.Raven1964species≡ hom.
Calylophus serrulata var. arizonicusShinners1964variety= het.
Calylophus serrulata var. spinulosus(Torr. & A.Gray) Shinners1964variety= het.
Meriolix drummondiana(Spach) Small1903species= het.
Meriolix intermediaRydb.1903species= het.
Meriolix oblanceolataRydb.1931species= het.
Meriolix serrulata(Nutt.) Raf.1819species≡ hom.
Meriolix serrulata var. douglasii(Torr. & A.Gray) Walp.1843variety= het.
Meriolix serrulata var. drummondii(Torr. & A.Gray) Walp.1843variety= het.
Meriolix serrulata var. nuttalliiWalp.1843variety≡ hom., not validly publ.
Meriolix serrulata var. spinulosa(Torr. & A.Gray) Small1896variety= het.
Meriolix spinulosa(Nutt.) A.Heller1895species= het.
Oenothera leucocarpaComien1830species= het.
Oenothera serrulata var. douglasiiH.Lév.1908variety= het., nom. illeg.
Oenothera serrulata var. douglasiiTorr. & A.Gray1840variety= het.
Oenothera serrulata subsp. drummondii(Torr. & A.Gray) Munz1965subspecies= het.
Oenothera serrulata var. drummondiiTorr. & A.Gray1840variety= het.
Oenothera serrulata f. flavaMunz1929form= het.
Oenothera serrulata var. integrifoliaH.Lév.1908variety= het.
Oenothera serrulata var. nuttalliiTorr. & A.Gray1840variety= het.
Oenothera serrulata var. oblanceolata(Rydb.) F.C.Gates1939variety= het.
Oenothera serrulata var. spinulosaTorr. & A.Gray1840variety= het.
Oenothera serrulata var. typicaMunz1929variety≡ hom., not validly publ.
Oenothera spinulosaNutt.1840species= het.
Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym  ; = heterotypic synonym

References

  1. 1 2 NatureServe (5 September 2025). "Calylophus serrulatus". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Oenothera serrulata Nutt". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Calylophus serrulatus. USDA NRCS Plant Fact Sheet.
  4. 1 2 3 Calylophus serrulatus. Missouri Botanical Garden.
  5. "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2022-02-18.