Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia
Beach evening-primrose
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia (Beach evening-primrose) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by distinctive coiled fruits and coastal habitat.
Beach evening-primrose is a California native perennial found along the coastal regions in sandy or rocky coastal habitats near the shoreline. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces yellow flowers approximately 6 to 20 millimeters long with minimal or no basal spots. Growing with prostrate to ascending stems up to 60 centimeters tall that peel and are densely covered in stiff hairs, it forms low-spreading rosettes. Its narrow leaves range from 5 to 50 millimeters long, with delicate ovate to obovate shapes and minutely serrated edges. The fruit is distinctively 4-angled and typically 10 to 25 millimeters long, often with a slight 1 to 2 coil.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive coiled fruits and coastal habitat
Habitat and range
California counties: Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Diego, San Francisco, Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Los Angeles, Monterey, Marin, Orange, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Solano
How to tell it apart
vs Camissonia: Camissoniopsis flowers from base with four-angled fruits; Camissonia flowers from top with round fruits.; vs Oenothera: Camissoniopsis has four-angled fruits; Oenothera has round fruits and a distinctive 4-lobed cross-shaped stigma.; vs Taraxia: Camissoniopsis has four-angled fruits and flowers from base; Taraxia has round fruits.; vs Tetrapteron: Camissoniopsis has four-angled fruits; Tetrapteron has four-winged fruits.; vs Eulobus: Camissoniopsis has four-angled fruits; Eulobus has wand-like stems with red-flecked petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia native to California?
Yes. Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia grow?
Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia occurs in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Diego, San Francisco, Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Los Angeles and other counties.
What plant family does Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia belong to?
Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissoniopsis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia subsp. cheiranthifolia
- Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia subsp. suffruticosa
- Camissoniopsis confusa — San bernardino sun cup
- Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina — San clemente island evening-primrose
- Camissoniopsis hardhamiae — Hardham's evening-primrose
- Camissoniopsis hirtella — Hairy sun cup
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.