Chylismia claviformis subsp. peirsonii

Family: Onagraceae · Type: annual · Native

Chylismia claviformis subsp. peirsonii is a California native annual found in the Colorado Desert (Imperial County) in sandy flats and creosote-bush scrub at elevations from 70 meters below sea level to 300 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces yellow flowers 4.5 to 7 millimeters long with conspicuous free sepal tips. Growing with spreading-hairy stems and a loose, open growth habit, it develops distinctive leaves with a terminal leaflet less than 90 millimeters long and narrowly ovate shape. Its leaves feature a notable arrangement with lateral leaflets generally larger than the terminal leaflet, creating an interesting asymmetrical foliage pattern. The plant's hypanthium measures 2.5 to 4.5 millimeters, contributing to its delicate desert-adapted appearance.

Habitat: Sandy flats, creosote-bush scrub

Bloom period: Feb-Apr

Elevation: -70-300 m

Bioregions: PR, DSon (Imperial Co.)

California counties: Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, Kern, Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.