Oenothera avita
California evening primrose
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Oenothera avita (California evening primrose) is a native California perennial in the Onagraceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
California evening primrose is a California native perennial found in western California in open, sandy or rocky areas at elevations from sea level to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces white flowers that fade to pink, with delicate petals 15 to 35 millimeters long. Growing with decumbent or ascending stems 10 to 80 centimeters tall that tend to peel, it develops from a rosette when young and spreads through lateral shoots. Its cauline leaves are lanceolate to triangular-ovate, ranging 1 to 6 centimeters long, with edges that may be entire or slightly pinnately lobed. The fruit is a slender cylindrical capsule 2 to 3 millimeters wide, which can be straight or slightly curved.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, Kern, Santa Barbara, Inyo, Tulare, Mono, Imperial, San Luis Obispo, Lassen
How to tell it apart
vs Camissoniopsis: Oenothera has a 4-lobed cross-shaped stigma; Camissoniopsis has a round stigma and four-angled fruits.; vs Clarkia: Oenothera has 4-lobed stigma and yellow flowers; Clarkia has round stigma and pink/purple flowers.; vs Rosa: Oenothera has 4 petals and capsule fruits; Rosa has 5+ petals and rose hips.; vs Convolvulus: Oenothera has separate petals; Convolvulus has fused trumpet-shaped flowers (morning glory family).; vs Taraxia: Oenothera has robust stems with 4-lobed stigma; Taraxia is stemless with flowers at ground level.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oenothera avita native to California?
Yes. Oenothera avita is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Oenothera avita grow?
Oenothera avita occurs in San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, Kern, Santa Barbara and other counties.
What plant family does Oenothera avita belong to?
Oenothera avita is in the Onagraceae family, genus Oenothera.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.