Chylismia claviformis subsp. funerea
(c) Joe Decruyenaere, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chylismia claviformis subsp. funerea is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by heart-shaped leaves without side leaflets, conspicuous sepal tips.
Death Valley suncup is a California native annual found in northern Death Valley regions including Eureka, Saline, and Death valleys in dry creosote-bush scrub at elevations of -70 to 900 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white flowers that gradually fade to purple, with petals 3.5 to 7.5 millimeters long. Growing with strigose stems that are especially dense near the base, it forms a compact annual herb. Its leaves feature a terminal leaflet up to 80 millimeters long, characteristically ovate and generally heart-shaped, with few or no lateral leaflets. The plant's hypanthium measures 3 to 5.5 millimeters long, with distinctive sepal tips that are free and conspicuously positioned near the tip of the bud.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; key features are heart-shaped leaves without side leaflets, conspicuous sepal tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, flats, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: -70-900 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo
Bloom period
Chylismia claviformis subsp. funerea 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 claviformis subsp. funerea native to California?
Yes. Chylismia claviformis subsp. funerea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chylismia claviformis subsp. funerea bloom?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. funerea blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Chylismia claviformis subsp. funerea grow?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. funerea occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, at elevations of -70-900 m.
What plant family does Chylismia claviformis subsp. funerea belong to?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. funerea is in the Onagraceae family, genus Chylismia.
What habitat does Chylismia claviformis subsp. funerea grow in?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. funerea grows in dry slopes, flats, 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.