Single Record

Participant Info

Species
Oenothera macrocarpa [Megapterium macrocarpum] [Megapterium nuttallianum]
Family
Onagraceae
CommonName
Missouri evening primrose, Ozark sundrops, bigfruit evening primrose, fluttermill
Presence
yes
Status
adventive
EarliestDate
2017
LatestDate
2017
Ecosystem
basin, ruderal
Geobotanical
UBasin
Counties
Saguache
Passes
WildlifePreserves
Other Localities
Comments
Bigfruit evening primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa) is not native to Colorado and its presence in the Watershed is probably anthropogenic. Its only recorded location is besides Hwy 285 (both sides) running for one quarter of a mile north of the junction with CR LL56 (the road to Bonanza), just north of Villa Grove in Saguache Co. It may have been planted by the Highway Department to curb erosion—the species has deep roots and seeds itself. At that location, Scott F. Smith has observed it for some ten years (2007-2017). O. macrocarpa is native to the Ozarks, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, where, according to BONAP, it has been recorded from the Rio Grande drainage counties of Webb and Presidio. The species has not been noted farther up the Rio Grande until the occurrences in Saguache Co, CO. Note that cultivars, plants and seeds, are available in most garden nurseries.