Camissonia lacustris
Grassland suncup
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Camissonia lacustris (Grassland suncup) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by larger flowers and potential height.
Grassland suncup is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges Interior and Sierra Nevada Foothills in open grasslands, particularly in Lake County, at elevations of 200 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow flowers that fade to reddish with 4 to 7 millimeter petals, often without basal spots. Growing with slender, wiry stems up to 50 centimeters tall that can be decumbent or erect and have peeling bark, it develops a delicate branching structure. Its leaves are narrow and linear, measuring 8 to 35 millimeters long with fine, minute serrations along the edges. The fruit develops as a slender pod less than 45 millimeters long, which becomes slightly swollen with seeds and can appear straight or slightly wavy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; larger flowers and potential height
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open grassland
Elevation: on serpentine, 400-600 m; not on serpentine, 200--1600 m
Bloom period
Camissonia lacustris blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 lacustris native to California?
Yes. Camissonia lacustris is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissonia lacustris bloom?
Camissonia lacustris blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Camissonia lacustris belong to?
Camissonia lacustris is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissonia.
Is Camissonia lacustris rare or endangered?
Camissonia lacustris carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Camissonia lacustris grow in?
Camissonia lacustris grows in Open grassland.
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 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.