Camissoniopsis luciae
Santa lucia sun cup
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Camissoniopsis luciae (Santa lucia sun cup) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by unusually large seeds compared to congeners.
Santa lucia sun cup is a California native annual herb found in the southern Coast Ranges of Monterey County in openings within chaparral at elevations of 300 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow flowers with a single basal spot, approximately 4 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems less than 60 centimeters tall, it forms a dense rosette with spreading hairs. Its cauline leaves are widely lanceolate to narrowly oblong, 13 to 55 millimeters long, with minute teeth and sessile attachment. The fruit is a cylindrical capsule 15 to 20 millimeters long, drying with roughly four angles and capable of straightening or coiling slightly.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; distinguished by unusually large seeds compared to congeners
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in chaparral
Elevation: 300-1400 m
Bloom period
Camissoniopsis luciae blooms Mar-May.
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 luciae native to California?
Yes. Camissoniopsis luciae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissoniopsis luciae bloom?
Camissoniopsis luciae blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Camissoniopsis luciae belong to?
Camissoniopsis luciae is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissoniopsis.
What habitat does Camissoniopsis luciae grow in?
Camissoniopsis luciae grows in Openings in chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.