Camissoniopsis robusta
Robust subcup
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Camissoniopsis robusta (Robust subcup) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by erect robust habit and moderately wide 4-angled fruits.
Robust subcup is a California native annual found on the Channel Islands including Santa Cruz, San Clemente, and Santa Catalina, and in the Peninsular Ranges at elevations below 300 meters in coastal-sage scrub and chaparral habitats. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces yellow flowers with small basal spots 3.2 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems up to 60 centimeters tall and spreading hairs, it develops in rosette form with distinctive glandular characteristics. Its narrow lance-elliptic leaves measure 10 to 80 millimeters long, with minute teeth and nearly sessile attachment to the stem. The slender fruit is 14 to 25 millimeters long, slightly four-angled, and typically single-coiled.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinguished by erect robust habit and moderately wide 4-angled fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal-sage scrub, chaparral, generally in disturbed areas
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Camissoniopsis robusta 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 robusta native to California?
Yes. Camissoniopsis robusta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Camissoniopsis robusta bloom?
Camissoniopsis robusta blooms Mar-Aug.
Where in California does Camissoniopsis robusta grow?
Camissoniopsis robusta occurs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Camissoniopsis robusta belong to?
Camissoniopsis robusta is in the Onagraceae family, genus Camissoniopsis.
What habitat does Camissoniopsis robusta grow in?
Camissoniopsis robusta grows in Coastal-sage scrub, chaparral, generally in disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Camissoniopsis sp.
- Camissoniopsis bistorta — California sun cup
- Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia — Beach evening-primrose
- Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia subsp. cheiranthifolia
- Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia subsp. suffruticosa
- Camissoniopsis confusa — San bernardino sun cup
- Chamerion angustifolium subsp. circumvagum — Fireweed
- Chamerion latifolium — Dwarf fireweed
- Chamerion sp.
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.