Chylismia claviformis subsp. aurantiaca
(c) Joe Decruyenaere, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chylismia claviformis subsp. aurantiaca is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by white petals fading purple, well-developed side leaflets.
Orange evening-primrose is a California native annual found in the Mojave Desert bioregion in sandy flats and creosote-bush scrub at elevations of 70 to 900 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces white flowers that often fade to purple, with delicate petals 2.5 to 8 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it is covered in glandular hairs, particularly toward the upper parts of the plant. Its leaves feature a terminal leaflet less than 30 millimeters long, with narrowly ovate shape and well-developed lateral leaflets matching the terminal one. The plant's hypanthium measures 3 to 5 millimeters long, with sepal tips that are barely visible in the flower bud.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; key features are white petals fading purple, well-developed side leaflets
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy flats, washes, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: -70-900 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Riverside, Imperial, Los Angeles, San Diego
Outside California: southern Nevada, western Arizona, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Chylismia claviformis subsp. aurantiaca blooms Feb-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 claviformis subsp. aurantiaca native to California?
Yes. Chylismia claviformis subsp. aurantiaca is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chylismia claviformis subsp. aurantiaca bloom?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. aurantiaca blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Chylismia claviformis subsp. aurantiaca grow?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. aurantiaca occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Riverside, Imperial, Los Angeles, San Diego, at elevations of -70-900 m.
What plant family does Chylismia claviformis subsp. aurantiaca belong to?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. aurantiaca is in the Onagraceae family, genus Chylismia.
What habitat does Chylismia claviformis subsp. aurantiaca grow in?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. aurantiaca grows in Sandy flats, washes, 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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.