Camissoniopsis lewisii
Lewis' evening-primrose
(c) Tyler Ekholm, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 3
Camissoniopsis lewisii (Lewis' evening-primrose) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by moderately stout fruits wider than most congeners.
Lewis' evening-primrose is a California native annual found in southern California coastal areas and western Peninsular Ranges in coastal grasslands and sandy or clay soils at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces pale yellow flowers with small basal spots, blossoming 2.5 to 5.5 millimeters wide. Growing with decumbent or erect stems up to 60 centimeters tall, it branches readily and has spreading hairs throughout the inflorescence. Its narrow lance-elliptic leaves measure 10 to 80 millimeters long, with minute teeth and growing nearly sessile on the stem. The fruit develops as a moderately stout, 4-angled pod that is typically 13 to 20 millimeters long and often slightly coiled.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinguished by moderately stout fruits wider than most congeners
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, sandy or clay soils, coastal
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Luis Obispo
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Camissoniopsis lewisii blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 3
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 lewisii native to California?
Yes. Camissoniopsis lewisii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissoniopsis lewisii bloom?
Camissoniopsis lewisii blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Camissoniopsis lewisii grow?
Camissoniopsis lewisii occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Camissoniopsis lewisii belong to?
Camissoniopsis lewisii is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissoniopsis.
Is Camissoniopsis lewisii rare or endangered?
Camissoniopsis lewisii carries California Rare Plant Rank 3, state rank S4.
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.