Square-bud Primrose; Sundrops; Berlandier’s Sundrops; Compact Calyophus; Shrubby Primrose

Calyophus berlandieri

Family:  Onagraceae

Plant Description: Perennial, with upright stems to 40 cm tall. Leaves linear or oblanceolate to 4.5 cm long, narrow and spiny-toothed. Showy, attractive, yellow flowers, axillary, with four broad, crinkled petals 14-22 mm long. This bushy plant sometimes becomes woody near the base.

Field Identification: A long-living evergreen, low-growing, woody-based perennial that grows to 30 cm tall and spreads to nearly 3 feet wide with dark green narrow fine-textured soft foliage and bright yellow 2-4 cm inch wide flowers. This plant is in the primrose family, and its flower has the same similar delicate texture and form of our ubiquitous pink evening primrose.

Plant Trivia: This species is Calylophus berlandieri, a name honoring the French naturalist Jean-Louis Berlandier (1801-1851).

Occurrence: Frequent on sandy soils or sometimes caliche in prairies and open areas.

Bloom Period: March – November

Plant Use: Nectar source; deer resistant. Propagation by seed is most successful if sown in fall. Take cuttings on new growth in early spring, sometimes in January.

Key to the Genus Calylophus:

1. Sepals without sharply raised midrib……………………………...C. hartwegii

Sepals with sharply raised midrib………………………………………………………….2

2. Stigma usually raised above anthers at opening time..C. berlandieri

Stigma not raised above anthers………………………………………C. serrulatus