Oenothera elata ssp. hookeri perennial herb grows along the coast from San Francisco to San Diego. It grows in an upright form to a height of 5 feet. Flowers are yellow; leaves are medium green and deciduous. Its form may be either upright or sprawling.

Native Americans used both root and leaves for diuretic function, sedative and laxative effect and to soothe both skeletal and muscle pain.