Etymology: Oenothera: from Greek oinos, "wine," and thera, "to imbibe," because an allied European plant was thought to induce a taste for wine
Plants: erect, biennial/perennial, 2'-6' tall forb, mostly smooth
Leaves: lance-like to oblong, alternate
Flowers: yellow, 4-parted, 3/4"-2" wide; inflorescence a stiff, terminal, usually unbranched spike; blooms July-Oct.
Fruits: capsule thickest near the base, seeds without tufts of hair at the top
Habitat: dry to moderate moisture; disturbed sites, prairies
Conservation Status: Native