Hooker's evening primrose is very similar to its close relative, ssp. hirsutissima, and may in fact be almost indistinguishable unless looked at closely. Therefore, much of what is on the page for that taxon here also applies to this one. One difference is that hairy evening primrose may have green sepals, but the most easily seen feature that discriminates this taxon is the glandular hairs which have conspicuous red blister-like bases shown in the last picture below. The anthers are also longer in ssp. hookeri, up to 23 mm, as opposed to the 8-15 mm for ssp. hirsutissima. This subspecies of Oenothera elata inhabits generally moist places in coastal or somewhat inland areas at lower elevations and blooms in the summer.

Click here for Latin name derivations: 1) Oenothera  2) elata  3) hookeri.
Pronunciation: ee-no-THEER-a eh-LAY-ta HOOK-er-eye.
Click here for Botanical Term Meanings.