Camissonia sierrae subsp. sierrae
Yosemite evening-primrose, Yosemite Evening-Primrose
(c) Chris Winchell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Camissonia sierrae subsp. sierrae (Yosemite evening-primrose) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by leaf shape and adherent sepals.
Yosemite evening-primrose is a California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains in Madera, Mariposa, and Tuolumne counties within ponderosa-pine and foothill-pine/blue-oak forest at elevations of 500 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this delicate plant produces pale yellow flowers with two basal spots, approximately 4 to 7 millimeters across. Growing with slender stems to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a compact and delicate annual herb. Its leaves are narrowly ovate or elliptic with fine minute serrations along the edges, typically light green and somewhat thin. The plant's small hypanthium measuring 1.3 to 2.2 millimeters and distinctive petal spots make it a charming understory species in its forest habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features are leaf shape and adherent sepals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ponderosa-pine or foothill-pine/blue-oak forest
Elevation: 500-1300 m
California counties: Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Tuolumne
Bloom period
Camissonia sierrae subsp. sierrae blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 sierrae subsp. sierrae native to California?
Yes. Camissonia sierrae subsp. sierrae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissonia sierrae subsp. sierrae bloom?
Camissonia sierrae subsp. sierrae blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Camissonia sierrae subsp. sierrae grow?
Camissonia sierrae subsp. sierrae occurs in Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Tuolumne, at elevations of 500-1300 m.
What plant family does Camissonia sierrae subsp. sierrae belong to?
Camissonia sierrae subsp. sierrae is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissonia.
Is Camissonia sierrae subsp. sierrae rare or endangered?
Camissonia sierrae subsp. sierrae carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Camissonia sp. — Sun cup
- Camissonia strigulosa — Contorted primrose
- Camissonia benitensis — San benito evening-primrose
- Camissonia campestris — Field primrose
- Camissonia campestris subsp. campestris
- Camissonia campestris subsp. obispoensis
- Camissoniopsis bistorta — California sun cup
- Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia — Beach evening-primrose
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.