Cutleaf evening-primrose (Oenothera laciniata) is a herbaceous weed that can grow to 28 inches tall. Often, the plant is upright, but the stems also recline and creep along the ground. The leaves are alternate, and toothed and lobed. The flowers are striking, and are yellow but sometimes have pink tinges to them. The flowers first appear in late spring and continue into early fall. Also unique is the elongated and curved seed pod located on the stems of the plant. Cutleaf evening primrose is found in fields, fencerows and waste areas, and is classified as a biennial, winter annual and sometimes a summer annual.

Proper turf management is important for biennial broadleaf weed control. Maintain a dense, actively growing turf through proper mowing, fertilizing, and watering practices. Mow at the proper height for your selected adapted turfgrass. Coring and traffic control reduce compaction and encourage desirable turfgrass competition. It is best to control this biennial broadleaf weed in spring or fall, if actively growing at these times.

• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • winter annual weed or biennial weed
• GROWTH HABIT
  • rosette or upright
    Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6
• LEAFLET NUMBER
  • one
• LEAF MARGIN
  • lobed
    Figure 7
• LEAF HAIRS
  • upper / lower surface
• LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
  • linear / oblong / oval / egg-shaped / elliptical
    Figure 8
• LEAF VENATION
  • pinnate
• LEAF ARRANGEMENT
  • alternate; whorled or basal rosette
• ROOT TYPE
  • taproot; fibrous

Figure 1. Cutleaf evening-primrose growth habit.

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Figure 1. Cutleaf evening-primrose growth habit.

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Figure 2. Cutleaf evening-primrose growth habit.

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Figure 2. Cutleaf evening-primrose growth habit.

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Figure 3. Cutleaf evening-primrose growth habit.

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Figure 3. Cutleaf evening-primrose growth habit.

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Figure 4. Cutleaf evening-primrose growth habit.

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Figure 4. Cutleaf evening-primrose growth habit.

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Figure 5. Cutleaf evening-primrose growth habit.

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Figure 5. Cutleaf evening-primrose growth habit.

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Figure 6. Cutleaf evening-primrose growth habit.

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Figure 6. Cutleaf evening-primrose growth habit.

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Figure 7. Cutleaf evening-primrose leaf margin.

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Figure 7. Cutleaf evening-primrose leaf margin.

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Figure 8. Cutleaf evening-primrose leaflet shape.

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Figure 8. Cutleaf evening-primrose leaflet shape.

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