Camissonia kernensis subsp. gilmanii
Photo: parent species Camissonia kernensis · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Camissonia kernensis subsp. gilmanii is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by open habit, leaves not basal.
Gilman's evening primrose is a California native annual found in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, eastern Sierra Nevada, and northern and western Mojave Desert in washes and slopes at elevations of 760 to 1,800 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces small yellow flowers with delicate, open petals. Growing with slender stems less than 30 centimeters tall and sparse glandular hairs, it forms an open, loose habit. Its leaves are not clustered at the base, with narrow blades spreading along the stem. The fruit is carried on short pedicels up to 5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; open habit, leaves not basal
Habitat and range
Habitat: Washes, slopes
Elevation: 760-1800 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Inyo, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo
Outside California: southern Nevada
Bloom period
Camissonia kernensis subsp. gilmanii blooms 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 kernensis subsp. gilmanii native to California?
Yes. Camissonia kernensis subsp. gilmanii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissonia kernensis subsp. gilmanii bloom?
Camissonia kernensis subsp. gilmanii blooms May.
Where in California does Camissonia kernensis subsp. gilmanii grow?
Camissonia kernensis subsp. gilmanii occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Inyo, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of 760-1800 m.
What plant family does Camissonia kernensis subsp. gilmanii belong to?
Camissonia kernensis subsp. gilmanii is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissonia.
What habitat does Camissonia kernensis subsp. gilmanii grow in?
Camissonia kernensis subsp. gilmanii grows in Washes, slopes.
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.