Camissonia campestris
Field primrose
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Camissonia campestris (Field primrose) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by distinctive beaded fruit pattern.
Field primrose is a California native annual found in various habitats across the state, growing at moderate elevations. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces bright yellow flowers that fade to reddish tones, with petals 5 to 15 millimeters long and distinctive basal spots. Growing with slender stems 5 to 25 centimeters tall that may be decumbent or erect and tend to peel, it has a delicate appearance. Its narrow leaves range from 5 to 30 millimeters long, linear to oblanceolate in shape, with fine to coarse serrated edges. The fruit is notably distinctive, measuring 20 to 43 millimeters long and alternately narrow and swollen where seeds develop, creating an interesting textural profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinctive beaded fruit pattern
Habitat and range
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Inyo, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Madera, Stanislaus, Merced, Fresno, Tulare, Contra Costa, San Benito, Kings, San Joaquin, Orange, San Diego, Monterey
How to tell it apart
vs Camissoniopsis: Camissonia flowers from top with round fruits; Camissoniopsis flowers from base with four-angled fruits.; vs Eulobus: Camissonia has plain yellow petals; Eulobus has elegant wands with red flecks at petal bases.; vs Chylismia: Camissonia has narrow leaves up the stem; Chylismia has dandelion-like basal leaves.; vs Taraxia: Camissonia flowers from upper stem; Taraxia flowers open from ground level at night.; vs Eschscholzia: Camissonia has four petals and cylindrical fruits; Eschscholzia has dissected leaves and poppy-like flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camissonia campestris native to California?
Yes. Camissonia campestris is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Camissonia campestris grow?
Camissonia campestris occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Inyo, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and other counties.
What plant family does Camissonia campestris belong to?
Camissonia campestris is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissonia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.