[Aztlan] 4-Petal Flower I.D. in Teotihuacan??

[kim Goldsmith]

Hi All!

I have always wondered about the botanical i.d. of the 4-petal flower so widely represented here in Teotihuacan.  I am basicially limited to what I can find on the Net, and I have searched but have not found anything written up on it here.

Even though during my 27 years here at the site I have kept a keen eye out through all seasons for any flower that would fit the bill, I never saw one.  However, the other night at about 3:00 a.m. I was out in our yard (we live in the Director's house on-Site), and noticed a very small bush of flowers in full bloom!!  In the daytime the plant is in plain sight yet barely noticeable, so I kept going outside for a few evenings/nights and confirmed that indeed, that is the only time the flowers open.

I took pictures myself, but there is a good one here (it's the white one):

http://www.uni.edu/~andersow/fourpetals.html

The flower is:

Cutleaf Evening-Primrose

Oenothera coronopifolia

Onagraceae


It has only four petals, and is very similar to the ones we see in the art here.  Of course, to be so important iconographically, it would have to have something special about it.  On this site(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oenothera), among other things, it talks about its medicinal properties as "...considered to be effective in healing asthmatic coughs, gastro-intestinal disorders, whooping cough and as a sedative pain-killer. Poultices containing O. biennis were at one time used to ease bruises and speed wound healing."  It also states that this plant is believed to be a native of Mexico and South America.

Although anything that heals is good, it seems that for as long as man can remember, anything that sedates, relieves pain, or causes a general "feel good" state is even better.  Apparently this particular plant can produce that effect.

Do any of you know of any work out there already done on this topic?  I'm sure there must be SOMETHING, but I certainly don't have access to it here.  And, if it turns out there isn't anything, would anyone be interested in exploring it further with me?  I'm just blown away by the fact that I was too dense in the plant department to know that anything but night-blooming jasmine opened up when the sun went down!

Thanks for indulging me, and please remember that I will be around Teo. during the ICA next month.  My cel no. is 552-717-9845.  Give me a jingle if anyone can make it out for a visit!

Best to all of you,

KIM