It is native to the coastline of southern Oregon and northern California, where it grows in coastal prairie, dunes, and coastal forest and woodland habitat.

[2] The biggest threat to the plant is its easy hybridization with its relative and probable descendant, Oenothera glazioviana.

[2] As this rare wild plant crosses with the introduced garden escapee, introgression occurs, causing what is known as genetic pollution; fewer pure individuals of O. wolfii will be seen as they are outnumbered by hybrids.

[2] Oenothera wolfii is a hairy biennial herb producing a dense rosette of leaves and an erect stem up to a meter tall.

In its second year the plant produces an inflorescence, a spike of showy yellow flowers with petals one or two centimeters long.