Hesperis lutea Maximowicz, Mélanges Biol. Bull. Phys.-Math. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg 9: 12. 1873.

Herbs perennial, (40-)60-100(-120) cm tall. Stems erect, branched above, sparsely to densely hirsute at least near base, usually glabrous above. Basal leaves not seen; petiole of middle cauline leaves 1-2(-3) cm; leaf blade broadly ovate to ovate-lanceolate, (5-)7-12(-15) × 2-5(-7) cm, sparsely pilose or subhirsute adaxially, densely so abaxially, base cuneate, truncate, or rarely cordate, margin dentate with apiculate callosities, apex acute or acuminate. Uppermost cauline leaves narrowly lanceolate, margin dentate, apex acuminate. Racemes basally bracteate. Fruiting pedicels ascending to subdivaricate, stout, narrower than fruit, (0.7-)0.8-1.3(-1.6) cm. Sepals linear, ascending, 7-9 × ca. 1 mm, subapically cucullate. Petals yellow, spatulate, 1.2-1.6 cm × 2.5-3.5 mm; claw subequaling sepals. Filaments yellowish, erect, 6-10 mm; anthers linear, 2-3 mm. Ovules 90-130 per ovary. Fruit narrowly linear, stout, subquadrangular, 8-14 cm × 1.5-2 mm; gynophore to 2 mm; valves glabrous, smooth, prominently veined; style stout, (0.5-)1-2(-3.5) mm; stigma slightly 2-lobed; septum slightly thickened or membranous. Seeds oblong, (1.3-)1.5-2(-2.3) × 0.7-0.9(-1.1) mm, inserted in depressions of septum. Fl. Jun-Jul, fr. Jul-Aug. 2n = 28.

Rocky slopes, coastal cliffs, valleys, forests, among shrubs; near sea level to 1600 m. Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi [Japan, Korea, Russia (Far East)].