Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris
Photo: parent species Camissonia campestris · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by erect growth, flower size, and beaded fruit.
Camissonia campestris is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, Great Valley, central western California, eastern southwestern California, and Mojave Desert in open sandy flats, desert scrub, and inland grassland at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow flowers in small clusters. Growing with generally erect stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads in delicate, open formations across sandy landscapes. Its leaves are narrow and linear to elliptic, with fine, minute serrations along the edges. The small bright yellow flowers emerge from slender stems, creating delicate patterns across its open habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; key features are erect growth, flower size, and beaded fruit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open sandy flats, desert scrub, inland grassland
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, Ventura, Inyo, Merced, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Tulare, Fresno, Contra Costa, Stanislaus, Madera, Kings, Santa Barbara, Mariposa, San Benito, Tuolumne, Monterey, El Dorado, Imperial, San Diego, Yuba, Santa Cruz, San Joaquin
Bloom period
Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris blooms Mar-May.
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 subsp. campestris native to California?
Yes. Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris bloom?
Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris grow?
Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris occurs in Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, Ventura, Inyo, Merced, San Luis Obispo, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris belong to?
Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissonia.
What habitat does Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris grow in?
Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris grows in Open sandy flats, desert scrub, inland grassland.
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.