Camissoniopsis micrantha
Spencer primrose
(c) Annabelle McCarthy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Camissoniopsis micrantha (Spencer primrose) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by spotted petals and straight to minimally coiled fruits.
Spencer primrose is a California native annual found on the western edge of the Great Valley, Central West, and Southwest bioregions in coastal dunes, sandy fields, beaches, and canyons at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces pale yellow to white flowers with small basal spots, typically 1.5 to 4.5 millimeters long. Growing with decumbent or erect stems up to 60 centimeters tall, it branches freely and develops a rosetted habit with dense spreading hairs. Its narrow leaves, generally 10 to 120 millimeters long, are lance-shaped with minute serrations and grow nearly sessile along the stem. The distinctive fruit is a slender cylindrical pod 13 to 25 millimeters long that dries with slightly angular edges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; distinguished by spotted petals and straight to minimally coiled fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Canyons, coastal dunes, beaches, sandy fields, washes
Elevation: < 300(800) m
California counties: Mendocino, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Joaquin, San Diego, Monterey, San Francisco, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Lake, Kern, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Orange, Santa Clara, Plumas
Bloom period
Camissoniopsis micrantha 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 micrantha native to California?
Yes. Camissoniopsis micrantha is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissoniopsis micrantha bloom?
Camissoniopsis micrantha blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Camissoniopsis micrantha grow?
Camissoniopsis micrantha occurs in Mendocino, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Joaquin and other counties, at elevations of < 300(800) m.
What plant family does Camissoniopsis micrantha belong to?
Camissoniopsis micrantha is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissoniopsis.
What habitat does Camissoniopsis micrantha grow in?
Camissoniopsis micrantha grows in Canyons, coastal dunes, beaches, sandy fields, washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.