Camissonia kernensis
Kern County evening primrose
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Camissonia kernensis (Kern County evening primrose) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by largest flowers and free sepals.
Kern County evening primrose is a California native annual found in desert and foothill regions at elevations up to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers that fade to reddish-pink, with two large basal spots on delicate petals 8 to 18 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall and covered in dense spreading hairs, some of which are glandular. Its leaves are narrowly elliptic, 10 to 38 millimeters long with sparse serrations along the edges. The fruit is distinctive, developing 22 to 37 millimeters long and slightly swollen with seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; largest flowers and free sepals
Habitat and range
California counties: Kern, Ventura, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Madera, San Luis Obispo
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 kernensis native to California?
Yes. Camissonia kernensis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Camissonia kernensis grow?
Camissonia kernensis occurs in Kern, Ventura, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Madera, San Luis Obispo.
What plant family does Camissonia kernensis belong to?
Camissonia kernensis 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.