Camissoniopsis pallida subsp. pallida
Photo: parent species Camissoniopsis pallida · (c) W. Terry Hunefeld, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Camissoniopsis pallida subsp. pallida is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by subsp. hallii by smaller flowers.
Pale evening primrose is a California native annual found in southern San Joaquin Valley (Kern County), northern Santa Barbara Mountains, and desert regions in desert slopes, flats, washes, creosote-bush scrub, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 30 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from March to August, this delicate plant produces pale yellow to white flowers with petals 2 to 6.5 millimeters long. Growing with slender, often spreading stems less than 30 centimeters tall, it forms loose, open clusters in arid landscapes. Its leaves are typically narrow and somewhat elongated, arranged alternately along the stem with variable shapes adapting to the harsh desert environment. The small flower's hypanthium measures 1 to 3 millimeters, with sepals ranging from 1.5 to 5.5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished from subsp. hallii by smaller flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert slopes, flats, washes, creosote-bush scrub to pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 30-1800 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Inyo, Kern, San Diego, Imperial, Tulare
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona
Bloom period
Camissoniopsis pallida subsp. pallida blooms Mar-Aug.
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 pallida subsp. pallida native to California?
Yes. Camissoniopsis pallida subsp. pallida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissoniopsis pallida subsp. pallida bloom?
Camissoniopsis pallida subsp. pallida blooms Mar-Aug.
Where in California does Camissoniopsis pallida subsp. pallida grow?
Camissoniopsis pallida subsp. pallida occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Inyo, Kern, San Diego, Imperial, Tulare, at elevations of 30-1800 m.
What plant family does Camissoniopsis pallida subsp. pallida belong to?
Camissoniopsis pallida subsp. pallida is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissoniopsis.
What habitat does Camissoniopsis pallida subsp. pallida grow in?
Camissoniopsis pallida subsp. pallida grows in Desert slopes, flats, washes, creosote-bush scrub to pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Camissoniopsis robusta — Robust subcup
- Camissoniopsis sp.
- Camissoniopsis bistorta — California sun cup
- Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia — Beach evening-primrose
- Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia subsp. cheiranthifolia
- Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia subsp. suffruticosa
- Chamerion angustifolium subsp. circumvagum — Fireweed
- Chamerion latifolium — Dwarf fireweed
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.