XOenothera villosa - Hairy Yellow PrimroseX
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Hairy Yellow Primrose -or- Hairy Evening Primrose (Oenothera villosa), family Onagraceae (Willowherb)
Villosa is a member of the Oenothera genus with about 125 species and two subspecies of villosa: villosa and strigosa. Both also are recorded in Colorado.
USES: Per WIKIPEDIA: 'Young roots can be eaten like a vegetable (with a peppery flavor), or the shoots can be eaten as a salad. The whole plant was used to prepare an infusion with astringent and sedative properties. It was considered to be effective in healing asthmatic coughs, gastro-intestinal disorders, whooping cough and as a sedative pain-killer. Poultices containing O. biennis were at one time used to ease bruises and speed wound healing. One of the common names for Oenothera, "Kings cureall", reflects the wide range of healing powers ascribed to this plant, although it should be noted that its efficacy for these purposes has not been demonstrated in clinical trials.' End quote. From Native American Ethnobotany are these records of the use of subspecies strigosa: Navajo, Ramah Drug (Disinfectant) Cold infusion of dried root taken for "deer infection." Dried leaves and tobacco smoked for good luck in hunting.
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Plant location: Found in the Rocky Mountain foothills in Colorado state at Hwy 72 and Plainview Road. The date was July 11, 2008. This perennial herb is found in almost every state of the U.S. and a good portion of Canada.Plant -
Bloom season: July to September.Foliage -
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