Chylismia claviformis subsp. integrior
(c) Joe Decruyenaere, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chylismia claviformis subsp. integrior is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by white petals fading purple, heart-shaped leaves.
Evening primrose is a California native annual found in the southeastern desert mountains in dry flats and desert scrub at elevations of 1,200 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white flowers fading to purple, with petals 4.5 to 8 millimeters long that have distinctive purple-dotted bases. Growing with strigose stems near the base and becoming slightly glandular-hairy or nearly smooth toward the top, it develops an upright form characteristic of desert annuals. Its leaves have a terminal leaflet less than 70 millimeters long, roughly ovate with a heart-shaped base, and few to no small lateral leaflets. The hypanthium measures 3 to 6 millimeters long, with sepal tips that remain mostly closed in the flower bud.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are white petals fading purple, heart-shaped leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry flats, desert scrub
Elevation: 1200-2000 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Kern, San Bernardino, Plumas, Lassen
Outside California: central Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Chylismia claviformis subsp. integrior blooms Apr-Jul.
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. integrior native to California?
Yes. Chylismia claviformis subsp. integrior is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chylismia claviformis subsp. integrior bloom?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. integrior blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Chylismia claviformis subsp. integrior grow?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. integrior occurs in Inyo, Mono, Kern, San Bernardino, Plumas, Lassen, at elevations of 1200-2000 m.
What plant family does Chylismia claviformis subsp. integrior belong to?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. integrior is in the Onagraceae family, genus Chylismia.
What habitat does Chylismia claviformis subsp. integrior grow in?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. integrior grows in dry flats, desert 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.