What flower glows in the dark?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

October 24, 2002

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Killer Picks: Blushing Rosie Evening Primrose, Mixed Hardy Primrose—>Click here.

Fireworks Evening Primrose, Missouri Primrose, Candelabra Primrose—>Click here.

Older articles about the common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis Linnaeus) mention an odd trait of the flower pigments which is alluded to in the German vernacular, nachtkerz
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or night candle.

Frederick Traugott Pursh (1774-1820) came to America in 1799. Pursh named at least three species of Oenothera, only one of the species names stands today, O. albicaulis. Pursh became fascinated with the nachtkerz.

King's American Dispensatory cited Pursh, [I] "frequently observed a singularity in this plant, and it might be interesting to make further inquiry into its cause; it is that in a dark night, when no objects can be distinguished at an inconsiderable distance, this plant, when in full flower, can be seen at a great distance, having a bright white appearance, which probably may arise from some phosphoric properties of the flowers." (King's American Dispensatory, Felter and Lloyd, 18th Edition, 1898)

In 1892, Charles F. Millspaugh wrote "The flowers open fully, after sundown, and remain so until the sun is well up in the morning, then wither and fall. Much has been written concerning the property inherent in the petals of many species of this genus, of emitting a 'phosphorescence' at night, the flowers being distinguishable at a goodly distance beyond non-refractory objects by their whitish luminosity. In regard to this phosphorescence a word or two is in place."

Yellow Primrose (Primula Vulgaris), Glenveagh National Park, Ireland

Older articles about the common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis Linnaeus) mention an odd trait of the flower pigments which is alluded to in the German vernacular, nachtkerz or night candle.
Yellow Primrose (Primula vulgaris), Glenveagh National Park, Ireland Gareth McCormack Buy Photographic Print at AllPosters.com

Millspaugh had his own theory. "That the petals do emit light on a dark night is not fanciful; still it is not due to a property of giving out spontaneous light (phosphorescence), but to a process of storing up sunlight during the day, and retaining it at night--a property identical with that exhibited by hepar sulphuris calcarea (calcined oyster shells), and the sulphides of barium and strontium." (American Medicinal Plants, reprinted 1974)

Bjørn Rørslett has posted excellent photographs of Oenothera biennis, one taken in natural light as the human eye sees it, and one under UV showing patterns as insects might see the flower. Although these photographs are not as we would see the flower in the dark, the UV pigments may have something to do with its high nighttime visibility. To view Rørslett's work, click on the link:

http://www.naturfotograf.com/UV_OENO_BIE.html

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killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

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Blushing Rosie Evening Primrose

Springhill Nursery®

Produces loads of deep rose-pink flowers with yellow stamens for many weeks throughout the summer. Foliage turns from gray green to scarlet to burgundy as cold weather approaches.

Tough ground cover grows 12-1'' tall and is as welcome in containers as it is in borders and along walkways.

Space 12-18'' apart.

Oenothera speciosa 'Blushing Rosie'

Deer Resistant.

Zone 5 to 9.

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Unique Characteristics: This is a charming variety that closely resembles the showy Primrose (O. speciosa). But it is much more compact and has brilliant, deep pink flowers with prominent yellow stamens that are produced in great abundances throughout the summer. The small grey green foliage takes on a burgundy hue with the onset of cold weather. It's trailing growth makes it ideal to grow as a ground-cover at the front of a border, trailing beneath taller plant and tumbling over walls, walkways and containers.

Additional Information: Originated at a nursery in South Africa. (syn. with Little Pinkie)

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Mixed Hardy Primrose

Springhill Nursery®

Special variety provides a captivating show of color from early spring through early summer. Mounds of deep green foliage come alive with masses of flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, yellow or white.

8-12''tall, 10-12'' spread. Mixed Hardy Primrose is exceptionally hardy and carefree. Multiply rapidly.

Shipped in 3'' pot. Deer tend to avoid.

Primula x polyanthus 'Elite hybrids'

Zone 3 to 8.

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Fireworks Evening Primrose

Springhill Nursery®

Bright yellow blooms burst forth all summer and stay open only during the daytime. Fireworks Evening Primrose has fragrant 2-3'' flowers are set off by reddish foliage. Grows 18'' high, 12'' across.

Shipped in 3'' pots. Deer tend to avoid.
Oenothera tetragona
Zone 4 to 8.

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Missouri Primrose

Gurney Seed and Nursery®

Sized, Shaped Like a Teacup

Canary-yellow flowers beautify borders early summer to frost.

Grows 9-12 inches tall with red-tinted foliage. Full sun, moist soil. Zone 3 to 8 Click here - $20 off your order at Gurneys!

Comments: Plant is late to come up in the spring. Thick clusters of canary-yellow flowers open at dusk. Will die back after first frost. Low growing. Will not tolerate wet soil. Very hardy. Great in rock gardens and raised beds.

Perennials and Roses Catalog

Candelabra Primrose

Springhill Nursery®

This hybrid primrose grows 15-20" tall and features 5-petaled rosettes in a bright range of yellow, orange, red, pink and violet, all with yellow eyes.

The unusual succession of colors creates an exotic mix of blooms during June and July.

Plant them in masses along shaded stream banks or under the outspread branches of dogwood or redbud trees. Prefers this type of shade rather than dense shade.

Shipped in 3'' pot.

Primula x bulleesiana (Cross of P. beesiana x P. bulleyana)

Zone 5 to 8.

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