Authors: Cav.
Usually a short-lived perennial with one to a few decumbent stems 20-50cm long, depending on age. Leaves oblanceolate, 10-20cm in length, pinnatifid, with a large lobed terminal leaflet often bearing red spots. Flowers fragrant, from the terminal leaf axils, to 7cm wide, pure white aging light rose-purple, opening late afternoon, fading the following morning early or later, depending on temperature, summer to autumn. Chile, native to both the drier coastal, and lower mountain habitats in open places. O.a. var. aurea has yellow flowers. Not reliably hardy in cold or very wet winters but can be grown as an annual if sown under glass in early spring. Seed capsules only open when wetted by rain.
a, O. acaulis; b, O. missouriensis;
