Beach Evening Primrose
Common name
Beach Evening Primrose
Scientific Name
Oenothera drummondii
Type of plant
Uncategorised
About this weed
This sprawling coastal weed with lemony yellow flowers is often mistaken as a native as it is so common. But like so many common plants this one is probably also a garden escapee and a native of North America. It is particularly common in coastal bushland and along beach side road verges. Flowers can be seen for most of the year.
Description
Beach Evening Primrose is a perennial plant that usually reproduces by seed. The seedbank can persist in soil for up to 80 years. Seeds germinate in both light and dark conditions. The yellow colour and shape of flowers change due to senescence, pollination and/or nectar withdrawal. At 0.6 m high it is a low plant.
Impact on Bushland
Common in the Perth metropolitan area, the weed forms mats and acts as a secondary sand stabiliser that readily spreads by seed into dune areas.
Location
Found in coastal dunes and along roadsides in the South-West Province. It is usually growing in white sand.
Priority for removal
Low: plants cause minimal disruption to ecological processes or loss of biodiversity.
Management (hand)
Plants can be manually removed at any time. Best to remove at seedling stage.
Management (herbicide)
Control in seedling stage, as older plants resistant to herbicide. Relatively resistant to Glyphosate. Hand remove small populations in areas not susceptible to erosion. Spot spray chlorsulfuron 0.4 g/10 L + spray oil. Read the manufacturers’ labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. Optimal months for spraying are July to October.
Flowering month/s
All year
Flower colour/s
Yellow
Information source
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/6138
Additional information
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, Second Edition, The Weeds Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, Western Australia.
