Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina
San clemente island evening-primrose, San Clemente Island Evening-Primrose
(c) Sula Vanderplank, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina (San clemente island evening-primrose) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by small size, fleshy stems, and very stout grooved fruits.
San clemente island evening-primrose is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Channel Islands on San Clemente Island in sand dunes at elevations below 30 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pale yellow flowers with a small basal spot, measuring 2.8 to 4.2 millimeters across. Growing with erect, somewhat fleshy stems 2 to 18 centimeters tall that tend to peel, it forms a distinctive low rosette. Its narrow cauline leaves are 10 to 38 millimeters long, minutely toothed or nearly entire, and grow nearly sessile along the stem. The fruit is a stout, slightly angled capsule 10 to 18 millimeters long, deeply grooved and sometimes slightly curved outward.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinguished by small size, fleshy stems, and very stout grooved fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand dunes
Elevation: < 30 m
California counties: Los Angeles
Bloom period
Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 guadalupensis subsp. clementina native to California?
Yes. Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina bloom?
Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina grow?
Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina occurs in Los Angeles, at elevations of < 30 m.
What plant family does Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina belong to?
Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissoniopsis.
Is Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina rare or endangered?
Camissoniopsis guadalupensis subsp. clementina carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.