Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla
Photo: parent species Chylismia cardiophylla · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla is a native California perennial in the Onagraceae family, recognized by heart-shaped leaves and small petals.
Heart-leaved suncup is a California native perennial found in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts in San Bernardino County, inhabiting sandy washes, rocky slopes, and creosote-bush scrub at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow flowers with petals 3 to 12 millimeters long. Growing with occasional glandular hairs, it develops stems with distinctive heart-shaped leaves. Its leaves are uniquely cordate (heart-shaped), providing a characteristic form to this desert plant. The plant thrives in the harsh, sandy environments of southern California's desert regions, with a compact growth habit adapted to arid conditions.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are heart-shaped leaves and small petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy washes, slopes, rocky walls, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego
Outside California: southern Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Eremothera: Chylismia has yellow flowers; Eremothera has white, pink, or red flowers that open at night.; vs Camissonia: Chylismia leaves are mostly basal and dandelion-like; Camissonia has narrow leaves up the stem.; vs Camissoniopsis: Chylismia has dandelion-like basal leaves; Camissoniopsis has lance-shaped leaves along the stem.; vs Eulobus: Chylismia has basal dandelion-like leaves; Eulobus has elegant wand-like stems with red-flecked petals.; vs Oenothera: Chylismia has dandelion-like basal leaves; Oenothera is typically a robust tall plant with 4-lobed stigma.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla native to California?
Yes. Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla bloom?
Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla grow?
Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla belong to?
Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla is in the Onagraceae family, genus Chylismia.
What habitat does Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla grow in?
Chylismia cardiophylla subsp. cardiophylla grows in Sandy washes, slopes, rocky walls, creosote-bush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.