Neoholmgrenia andina
Plateau evening primrose
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Neoholmgrenia andina (Plateau evening primrose) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by Recently segregated genus from Camissonia, representing specialized lineage adapted to harsh intermountain conditions.
Plateau evening primrose is a California native annual found in the Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau in seasonally moist flats and sagebrush scrub to pinyon and juniper woodland at elevations of 1,200 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces small, delicate pale yellow or white flowers with petals less than 2.5 millimeters long. Growing with diminutive stems just 1 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms a compact, minutely hairy plant with an erect growth habit. Its numerous leaves are narrow and oblanceolate, measuring 10 to 30 millimeters long and covered in short strigose hairs. The ascending fruits are slender, measuring 5 to 10 millimeters in length and less than 1.5 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Recently segregated genus from Camissonia, representing specialized lineage adapted to harsh intermountain conditions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Seasonally moist flats, generally clay soil, sagebrush scrub to pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1200-2000 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Utah
Bloom period
Neoholmgrenia andina blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Chylismia: Neoholmgrenia has bare lower stems and leafy tops; Chylismia has dandelion-like basal leaves.; vs Camissoniopsis: Neoholmgrenia has bare lower stems; Camissoniopsis is leafy throughout with four-angled fruits.; vs Camissonia: Neoholmgrenia has bare lower stems and densely leafy tops; Camissonia is evenly leafy throughout.; vs Eulobus: Neoholmgrenia has bare lower stems; Eulobus has elegant wands with red-flecked yellow petals.; vs Eremothera: Neoholmgrenia has yellow day flowers; Eremothera has white/pink flowers opening at night.
Frequently asked questions
Is Neoholmgrenia andina native to California?
Yes. Neoholmgrenia andina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Neoholmgrenia andina bloom?
Neoholmgrenia andina blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Neoholmgrenia andina belong to?
Neoholmgrenia andina is in the Onagraceae family, genus Neoholmgrenia.
What habitat does Neoholmgrenia andina grow in?
Neoholmgrenia andina grows in Seasonally moist flats, generally clay soil, sagebrush scrub to pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.