Oenothera longissima

Oenothera longissima, commonly known as the longstem or long-tubed evening primrose, is a striking perennial herb native to the southwestern United States. Renowned for its exceptionally long hypanthium tube and large, luminous yellow flowers that open at dusk to attract hawkmoths, it stands as a dramatic sentinel along moist canyon bottoms, seeps, and riparian corridors in arid landscapes.

Indigenous peoples of the Southwest, including Navajo and Hopi tribes, historically utilized various Oenothera species for medicinal applications, preparing poultices from crushed roots and leaves to treat skin swellings, wounds, and sore muscles, while also incorporating the edible seeds and young foliage into seasonal diets.