Perennial herb to 50 cm high, with spreading rhizomes; stems erect, branched above ground, pubescent, hairs mostly antrorse. Basal leaves obovate to oblong-lanceolate, 2–9 cm long, 0.5–2.5 cm wide, tapered toward base, usually sinuately lobed below large terminal lobe; cauline leaves variable, mostly ovate-elliptic, 1–3 cm long, 0.5–2 cm wide, sinuate to deeply lobed especially toward base of stem, small and bract-like on upper part of stem. Flowers actinomorphic, opening near sunset and fading by morning, single, sessile, in upper leaf axils, drooping in bud, becoming erect just before anthesis; hypanthium 1–2 cm long; sepals linear-lanceolate, 1.5–3 cm long, often failing to separate completely, bent to one side; petals 2.5–4 cm long, white to rose-purple. Capsule clavate, 10–15 mm long, 3–5 mm wide, pubescent, 8-ribbed in upper part, lower part cylindric and sterile. Flowers mostly Oct.–Jan.
MuM, Wim. Also naturalised WA, Qld, NSW. Native to the USA and Mexico, widely cultivated. Has become established in the Jeparit and Donald areas of western Victoria, presumably as a garden-escape.
