Chylismia munzii
Munz's evening primrose
(c) glittergravel, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Chylismia munzii (Munz's evening primrose) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by found only in ne DMoj mountains at 600-1600m.
Munz's evening primrose is a native annual found in the northeastern Mojave Desert Mountains on slopes, washes, and mountain habitats at elevations of 600 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces delicate yellow flowers with red-dotted bases, opening at dawn in nodding clusters. Growing with strigose stems 8 to 50 centimeters tall, it develops a distinctive pinnate leaf structure with terminal and lateral leaflets. Its leaves are primarily basal, with terminal leaflets under 60 millimeters long and ovate in shape, accompanied by well-developed lateral leaflets. The fruit is distinctive, 8 to 24 millimeters long, becoming reflexed with age and widening toward the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; found only in ne DMoj mountains at 600-1600m
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, washes, mountains
Elevation: 600-1600 m
Outside California: southern Nevada
Bloom period
Chylismia munzii blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 munzii native to California?
Yes. Chylismia munzii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chylismia munzii bloom?
Chylismia munzii blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Chylismia munzii belong to?
Chylismia munzii is in the Onagraceae family, genus Chylismia.
Is Chylismia munzii rare or endangered?
Chylismia munzii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Chylismia munzii grow in?
Chylismia munzii grows in Slopes, washes, mountains.
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.