[4][5] The specific epithet is after Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer, a German-born botanist who collected extensively in Texas for Harvard University professor Asa Gray.

The leaves are finely hairy, lanceolate, 1 to 9 cm (1⁄2–3+1⁄2 in) long and 1 to 13 mm (1⁄16–1⁄2 in) broad, with a coarsely toothed margin.

Although a perennial rated USDA Zone 5(6)-9 for hardiness it may not overwinter reliably, and is often treated as an annual outside its native areas.

[8] This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[9][10] Oenothera: Etymology is uncertain, but it is believed to be derived from the Greek words οίνος θήρα (oinos thera) meaning "wine seeker".