Oenothera avita subsp. avita
Photo: parent species Oenothera avita · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Oenothera avita subsp. avita is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family.
Evening primrose is a California native perennial found in the southeastern California desert and Great Basin regions in sandy or gravelly areas, desert scrub, and pinyon/juniper woodlands at elevations of 800 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces soft yellow flowers on slender stems emerging from a grayish-green plant. Growing with erect stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms dense clusters with a distinctive gray-green appearance. Its leaves are oblong to lanceolate, generally pinnately lobed with both short, appressed and longer, spreading hairs that give the plant a soft, textured appearance. The elongated fruit measures 20 to 80 millimeters in length, contributing to its distinctive desert adaptation.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly areas, desert scrub to pinyon/juniper or ponderosa-pine woodland
Elevation: 800-2500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Mono, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, Plumas, Ventura
Outside California: +- southwestern United States.
Bloom period
Oenothera avita subsp. avita blooms Apr-Jun.
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 subsp. avita native to California?
Yes. Oenothera avita subsp. avita is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oenothera avita subsp. avita bloom?
Oenothera avita subsp. avita blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Oenothera avita subsp. avita grow?
Oenothera avita subsp. avita occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Mono, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, Plumas and other counties, at elevations of 800-2500 m.
What plant family does Oenothera avita subsp. avita belong to?
Oenothera avita subsp. avita is in the Onagraceae family, genus Oenothera.
What habitat does Oenothera avita subsp. avita grow in?
Oenothera avita subsp. avita grows in Sandy or gravelly areas, desert scrub to pinyon/juniper or ponderosa-pine 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.