Camissonia campestris subsp. obispoensis
Photo: parent species Camissonia campestris · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Camissonia campestris subsp. obispoensis is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by growth habit and leaf teeth.
San Luis Obispo evening primrose is a California native annual found in the southern Coast Ranges in marine deposits within openings of chaparral and oak woodland at elevations of 100 to 500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow flowers with delicate, bright petals in small clusters. Growing with generally decumbent stems reaching 10 to 30 centimeters long, it spreads low across the ground. Its leaves are narrowly elliptic with coarse serrated edges, creating a distinctive textured appearance. The small yellow blooms emerge close to the ground, creating a subtle carpet of color across coastal grassland openings.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by growth habit and leaf teeth
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marine deposits in openings in chaparral and oak woodland
Elevation: 100-500 m
Bloom period
Camissonia campestris subsp. obispoensis 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. obispoensis native to California?
Yes. Camissonia campestris subsp. obispoensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissonia campestris subsp. obispoensis bloom?
Camissonia campestris subsp. obispoensis blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Camissonia campestris subsp. obispoensis belong to?
Camissonia campestris subsp. obispoensis is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissonia.
What habitat does Camissonia campestris subsp. obispoensis grow in?
Camissonia campestris subsp. obispoensis grows in Marine deposits in openings in chaparral and oak woodland.
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.