Oenothera avita subsp. eurekensis

Eureka dunes evening-primrose, Eureka Dunes Evening-Primrose

Family: Onagraceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Delisted

Eureka dunes evening-primrose is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Mojave Desert regions, specifically in the Eureka Valley of northeastern Inyo County, inhabiting sandy dune environments at elevations of 900 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces delicate pale yellow to white flowers with distinctive wavy petals. Growing with stems that form new rosettes at their tips and reaching moderate heights, it develops fleshy roots and dense hair covering. Its cauline leaves are triangular to ovate, ranging from entire to slightly toothed edges, with a mix of short appressed and long spreading hairs. The fruit develops 30 to 70 millimeters long, reflecting its distinctive adaptations to harsh desert dune environments.

Habitat: Dunes, generally with

Bloom period: Mar-May

Elevation: 900-1200 m

Bioregions: n-most DMoj (Eureka Valley, ne Inyo Co.).

California counties: Inyo

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.