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Common name: Common Evening Primrose
Botanical name: Oenothera biennis Family: Onagraceae (evening primrose family)
Evening primrose, the beautiful yellow flower, gets its name from the fact
that it remains partially close in the day, and opens up suddenly in the
evening. Oenothera family is highly variable, and hence difficult to identify.
The plant has an upright stem with leaves that are
10-20 cm long, slightly toothed and lance like. Flowers are
large, yellow, 2.5-5 cm wide, with four petals. A cross-shaped stigma
protrudes out of the flower cup.
The plant contains an astringent mucilage that modern herbalist use in cough
remedies. Externally the plant has been use to treat sores and various skin
conditions. Published studies indicate that the oil might be useful in
treating atopic eczema or eczema caused by allergy.
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