Oenothera speciosa is a herbaceous
perennial wildflower. It has glabrous (smooth) to pubescent stems that grow to in height. The pubescent
leaves are alternate with very short or no
petiole (sessile), reaching long to broad. They are variable in shape, from linear to obovate, and are toothed or wavy-edged. It produces single, four-petaled, cup-shaped flowers on the upper leaf axils. These fragrant shell-pink flowers bloom throughout the summer into early autumn. The flowers start out white and turn pink as they age. The flower throats, as well as the
stigmas and
stamens, have a soft yellow color. It blooms both day and night, but typically in the pre-dawn hours, closing when the full sun hits them. They bloom from March to July, and occasionally in the fall. The flowers are frequented by several
insect species, but
moths are the most common as the flowers are mostly open at night. == Taxonomy ==