Common Name:

Chilean Evening Primrose

Oenothera stricta

The Chilean Evening Primrose is an introduced species which has become naturalized on Mauna Kea. Its yellow flowers can be seen blooming near the Visitor Information Station and Hale Pohaku. It is also found on road sides and in other disturbed areas near Mauna Kea State Park and Waikii Ranch over towards the Kona side of the island.

Oenothera stricta is thought to be native to South America. It's said that it originally made its way from Chile to England in the pocket of a ship's surgeon around 1790. It's unknown how the plant was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands.