Crops Evening primrose (Oenothera spp.)

Evening primrose is familiar as a plant of road verges, cliffs and waste places, and also appears in garden borders (not always by invitation). The plants are native to North America but many species and hybrids have now become naturalised in Europe. A few types are now cultivated as crops in Europe, North America and New Zealand, interest being centred on the seed oil, which contains up to 10 percent of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). This fatty acid has been shown to have considerable importance in several aspects of human health and nutrition; formulations of GLA are now available for a range of nutritional, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products, including some used in the treatment of conditions such as atopic eczema and diabetes. Evening primrose is grown under contract to supply these needs, though some is also imported.

This entry forms part of the publication Crops for Industry and Energy in Europe

References: :

Anon (1996a) Developments in Oilseeds: NIAB Sparsholt Conference. Proceedings of a meeting on 8th February 1996 at Sparsholt College, Winchester, Hampshire. Cambridge: NIAB.

Anthony, K R M, Meadley, J & Robellen, G (Eds) (1993) New Crops for Temperate Regions. London: Chapman & Hall

Bremness, L (1988) The Complete Book of Herbs. London: Dorling Kindersley & National Trust.

Chisholm, C J (Ed) (1994) Towards a UK Research Strategy For Alternative Crops. Silsoe: Silsoe Research Institute.

Mabey, R (1996) Flora Britannica. London: Sinclair-Stevenson .

Perry, F (1972) Flowers of the World. London: Hamlyn Press.

Annals of Applied Biology. Wellesbourne: The Association of Applied Biologists.