Chylismia claviformis subsp. lancifolia
(c) Joe Decruyenaere, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chylismia claviformis subsp. lancifolia is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by distinctive lance-shaped leaves, unique in the genus.
Evening primrose is a California native annual found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and desert mountains in sandy sagebrush scrub at elevations of 1,200 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with reddish bases, approximately 3.5 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems that are strigose near the base and glaucous toward the tips, it reaches heights typical of small annual wildflowers. Its leaves feature a terminal leaflet less than 50 millimeters long and lance-shaped, with few or no lateral leaflets. The plant's distinctive strigose and glaucous appearance, combined with its bright yellow blossoms, makes it a subtle but charming component of its arid habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key feature is distinctive lance-shaped leaves, unique in the genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 1200-1700 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, San Bernardino, Kern, Imperial
Bloom period
Chylismia claviformis subsp. lancifolia 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. lancifolia native to California?
Yes. Chylismia claviformis subsp. lancifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chylismia claviformis subsp. lancifolia bloom?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. lancifolia blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Chylismia claviformis subsp. lancifolia grow?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. lancifolia occurs in Mono, Inyo, San Bernardino, Kern, Imperial, at elevations of 1200-1700 m.
What plant family does Chylismia claviformis subsp. lancifolia belong to?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. lancifolia is in the Onagraceae family, genus Chylismia.
What habitat does Chylismia claviformis subsp. lancifolia grow in?
Chylismia claviformis subsp. lancifolia grows in Sandy soils, sagebrush 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.