Enotera

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Enotera (lat. Oenothera) - a numerous genus represented to the world by herbaceous flowering plants, which can be perennial and annual. Some species are suitable for food, some species have healing powers, and Enotera is also used as an ornamental plant.

What's in your name

There are several versions of the meaning of the word "Enotera". According to one of them, the Latin word "Oenothera" is "a plant whose juices can induce sleep."

In addition, a number of other plant names are widely used in the world. For example, "Evening Primrose", although it is not closely associated with the true Primrose of Enothera; "Sun cups" (Suncups); "Sun drops" or "Sun candies" (Sundrops).

Originally plants of the genus Enotera (lat. Oenothera) were included by botanists in the genus Donkey (lat. Onagra). The modern title, Enotera, was published in the main work of Carl Linnaeus. Even among botanists there is no consensus on the classification "shelf" of plants of these two genera, and in the literature of nonprofessionals there is complete confusion, turning the name "Oenothera" into a synonym for the name "Donkey" (Onagra).

Description

The plant species of the Enotera genus vary in height, which ranges from 10 centimeters (alpine plants in Chile, for example, "Oenothera acaulis") to 3 meters (vigorous species of the plains of Mexico, for example, "Oenothera stubbei").

Some of the simple toothed or deeply dissected leaves form a basal rosette, while others climb the stem to the very flowers.

In the axils of the leaves on the stem, single or paired flowers are born, less often inflorescences. In many species, flowers open in the evening, hence the name "Evening primrose". The cup-shaped flower petals of most species are yellow, hence the names: "Sun Cups", "Sun Drops" or "Sun Lollipops". But there may be other shades: white, pink, purple, red. A distinctive feature of the Enotera flower is the stigma, which has 4 branches in the shape of the letter "X".

Since flowers open in the evening, moths and bees feed in the evening as pollinators.

Varieties

* Evening primrose large-fruited (lat. Oenothera macrocarpa) - with yellow flowers, the petals of which are decorated with a wavy edge.

* Enotera Strickta (lat. Oenothera stricta) - a basal rosette formed by narrow long leaves with a clearly pronounced light central vein and a green-red surface.

* Evening primrose pink (lat. Oenothera rosea) - differs from most species in its pink petals.

Growing

Enotera is not whimsical to soils, but it develops more successfully and blooms more abundantly on fertilized and loose. It is very important to ensure good drainage, as dampness provokes fungal diseases. Drought is preferable for the plant, which it tolerates.

The root system grows rapidly in favorable conditions and is able to displace its neighbors from the flower garden. Therefore, it is better to lay root restraints in the soil.

Enotera is propagated by sowing seeds for seedlings, and shrub species - by spring or autumn division of the bush. The plant produces numerous shoots, which are also suitable for reproduction.

Healing abilities

The healing abilities of Evening Primrose are due to the rich composition of useful components contained in the herb and seeds of the plant. They contain a number of acids and amino acids, vitamin "C", calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus and other chemical elements.

American Indians prepared infusions for the treatment of asthma, skin diseases, and the healing of battle wounds.

Today they use oil obtained from seeds by cold pressing. Since the demand for Enothera oil exceeds its production capacity, its cost is high.