Camissonia integrifolia
Kern river evening-primrose, Kern River Evening-Primrose
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Camissonia integrifolia (Kern river evening-primrose) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by distinctive entire or nearly entire leaves.
Kern river evening-primrose is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills in the Kern River area of Kern County on sagebrush slopes at elevations of 700 to 1,000 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces yellow flowers that fade to reddish with occasional small basal spots. Growing with slender, wiry stems less than 30 centimeters tall that peel and are mostly hairless except for a dense grayish strigose inflorescence. Its linear leaves measure 10 to 30 millimeters long, typically entire with zero to two small teeth. The distinctive elongated fruit is 45 to 60 millimeters long, slightly swollen with seeds and appearing straight or slightly wavy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinctive entire or nearly entire leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally sagebrush slopes
Elevation: 700-1000 m
California counties: Kern
Bloom period
Camissonia integrifolia blooms May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 integrifolia native to California?
Yes. Camissonia integrifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissonia integrifolia bloom?
Camissonia integrifolia blooms May.
Where in California does Camissonia integrifolia grow?
Camissonia integrifolia occurs in Kern, at elevations of 700-1000 m.
What plant family does Camissonia integrifolia belong to?
Camissonia integrifolia is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissonia.
Is Camissonia integrifolia rare or endangered?
Camissonia integrifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.