Gayophytum racemosum
Black foot gayophytum
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Gayophytum racemosum (Black foot gayophytum) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by . Key features: flat grooved fruits 10-15mm, proximal branching pattern.
Black foot gayophytum is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada, southern Cascade Range, Tehachapi Mountains, western Transverse Ranges, and Warner Mountains in wet meadows and drying margins at elevations of 1,000 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from May to October, this delicate plant produces small white to pale pink flowers less than 2 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems up to 40 centimeters tall, it features multiple branches primarily emerging from the lower stem. Its leaves are relatively uniform, measuring 1 to 2.5 centimeters long and not significantly reduced along the stem. The fruit is distinctive, developing 10 to 15 millimeters long, flat and slightly grooved, with lateral seed-bearing valves that remain unattached.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species. Key features: flat grooved fruits 10-15mm, proximal branching pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, drying margins
Elevation: 1000-4000 m
California counties: Modoc, Tuolumne, Lassen, Tulare, Plumas, Fresno, El Dorado, Madera, Ventura, Mono, Inyo, Butte, Placer, Siskiyou, Nevada, Kern, Los Angeles, Sierra, Mariposa, Trinity, Humboldt, Riverside, Shasta, San Bernardino, Alpine
Outside California: to Washington, Alberta, Colorado
Bloom period
Gayophytum racemosum blooms May-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Epilobium: Gayophytum is a wiry, much-branched annual with tiny flowers and short straight capsules whose seeds lack plumes; Epilobium has long linear capsules that split to release seeds tufted with hairs (coma).; vs Camissonia: Gayophytum has a very short or absent floral tube, so the petals appear to sit right on the ovary; the Camissonia group has a distinct floral tube above the ovary and generally yellow flowers.; vs Oenothera: Gayophytum is a slender diffuse annual with minute (1-2 mm) flowers; Oenothera (evening primrose) has large showy flowers on a long floral tube.; vs Clarkia: Gayophytum flowers are tiny with plain entire petals; Clarkia has larger, often lobed or clawed petals and 4-grooved capsules.; vs Eremothera: Gayophytum has a threadlike branching habit with short capsules held along the stem; Eremothera and Chylismia have basal rosette leaves and longer tubular-based flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gayophytum racemosum native to California?
Yes. Gayophytum racemosum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gayophytum racemosum bloom?
Gayophytum racemosum blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Gayophytum racemosum grow?
Gayophytum racemosum occurs in Modoc, Tuolumne, Lassen, Tulare, Plumas, Fresno, El Dorado, Madera and other counties, at elevations of 1000-4000 m.
What plant family does Gayophytum racemosum belong to?
Gayophytum racemosum is in the Onagraceae family, genus Gayophytum.
What habitat does Gayophytum racemosum grow in?
Gayophytum racemosum grows in Wet meadows, drying margins.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Gayophytum ramosissimum — Pinyon gayophytum
- Gayophytum sp.
- Gayophytum decipiens — Deceiving gayophytum
- Gayophytum diffusum — Diffuse gayophytum
- Gayophytum diffusum subsp. diffusum
- Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum
- Ludwigia grandiflora — Large-flowered primrose-willow
- Ludwigia hexapetala — Uruguayan primrose-willow
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.