Introduction

Evening-primrose was originally assigned to the genus Onagra, which gave the family Onagraceae its name. Evening primrose is a plant native to North America, but it grows in Europe and parts of the Southern hemisphere as well. It has yellow flowers that bloom in the evening. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid. Essential fatty acids are required by the body for growth and development, and must be obtained from the diet.

Common Names—evening primrose oil, EPO

Latin Name—Oenothera biennis