Camissonia pusilla
Little wiry sun cup
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Camissonia pusilla (Little wiry sun cup) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by smallest stature and flowers.
Little wiry sun cup is a California native annual found on the northern slope of the San Bernardino Mountains, Great Basin, and scattered areas of the Mojave Desert in sandy sagebrush scrub habitats at elevations of 760 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to June, this delicate plant produces yellow flowers that fade to reddish tones, with small basal spots and petals 1.8 to 3.1 millimeters long. Growing with slender, erect stems 2 to 22 centimeters tall and covered in glandular hairs, it has a distinctive sparse and wiry appearance. Its narrow leaves measure 10 to 30 millimeters long, linear in shape with fine, minute serrations along the edges. The plant produces elongated fruits 18 to 32 millimeters long that can appear slightly swollen with seeds and may be straight or gently wavy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; smallest stature and flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, generally sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 760-3000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, San Luis Obispo, Modoc, Los Angeles, Lassen, Sierra
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Utah
Bloom period
Camissonia pusilla blooms May-Jun.
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 pusilla native to California?
Yes. Camissonia pusilla is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissonia pusilla bloom?
Camissonia pusilla blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Camissonia pusilla grow?
Camissonia pusilla occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, San Luis Obispo, Modoc, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of 760-3000 m.
What plant family does Camissonia pusilla belong to?
Camissonia pusilla is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissonia.
What habitat does Camissonia pusilla grow in?
Camissonia pusilla grows in Sandy soils, generally sagebrush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.