Family: Onagraceae

Status:

Description:
An erect perennial herb, up to 1m high, which may be single stemmed or branched. Habit of the plant and leaf shape varies from species to species but all are characterised by showy 4-petalled, usually yellow flowers which change colour to orange as they die, and are generally only fully open in low light conditions (early morning, evening and on cloudy days). Oenothera stricta is illustrated.

Preferred habitat and impacts:
Usually found in disturbed sites such as road verges, but potentially quite invasive in grassy remnant vegetation of agricultural areas.

Dispersal:
The numerous fine seeds are spread by wind and in contaminated soil.

Look-alikes
None.

Control
Chip prior to seeding.