Chylismia claviformis subsp. cruciformis
cruciform evening-primrose
(c) Joe Decruyenaere, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Chylismia claviformis subsp. cruciformis (cruciform evening-primrose) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by (parent); distinguished by sagebrush habitat in Modoc Plateau.
Cruciform evening-primrose is a California native annual found in the Modoc Plateau in sagebrush scrub at elevations of 1,200 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow flowers that fade to purple, with distinctive red-dotted petal bases, generally opening at dawn. Growing with strigose or glandular-hairy stems, it reaches a moderate height with delicate branching. Its leaves feature a terminal leaflet less than 80 millimeters long, ovate to nearly heart-shaped, with several lateral leaflets. The plant's unique combination of dawn-opening flowers and variable hairiness makes it a distinctive element of its high-elevation sagebrush habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (parent); distinguished by sagebrush habitat in Modoc Plateau
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 1200-1600 m
Outside California: to central Oregon, Idaho, northwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Chylismia claviformis subsp. cruciformis blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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. cruciformis native to California?
Yes. Chylismia claviformis subsp. cruciformis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chylismia claviformis subsp. cruciformis bloom?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. cruciformis blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Chylismia claviformis subsp. cruciformis belong to?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. cruciformis is in the Onagraceae family, genus Chylismia.
Is Chylismia claviformis subsp. cruciformis rare or endangered?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. cruciformis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Chylismia claviformis subsp. cruciformis grow in?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. cruciformis grows in Sagebrush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.