Robust medium to tall hairy plant to 1.5 metres stems erect. Hairs on stem have red bases. Flowers pale yellow, large 50 to 80 mm in large leafy spikes. Sepals usually reddish or red striped. Capsule with red based hairs.

The Evening-primrose group is a difficult one, which is further complicated by hybridization. Where possible a specimen should be checked by an expert to confirm identification.

Waste places, embankments, road-verges.

June to September.

Biennial.

Found in England and Wales north to Yorkshire, only casual elsewhere in Britain.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. In the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire it was found in 22 of the 617 tetrads.