Oenothera cespitosa
Fragrant evening-primrose
(c) James Telford, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Oenothera cespitosa (Fragrant evening-primrose) is a native California subshrub in the Onagraceae family, recognized by Nearly stemless rosette w/ huge white flowers (petals to 56 mm) borne in leaf axils; woody caudex — Great Basin, E Sierra, deserts.
Fragrant evening-primrose is a California native perennial found in rocky or open habitats at moderate elevations. Flowering from late spring to summer, this plant produces large white flowers up to 5.6 centimeters long with delicate, luminous petals. Growing with sprawling stems less than 20 centimeters tall, it forms a distinctive woody caudex with new shoots emerging from lateral roots. Its leaves are notably large, ranging from 1.7 to 36 centimeters long, with oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic shapes and irregularly dentate or lobed edges. The fruit is cylindric to elliptic-ovate, with a distinctive tubercled surface measuring 4 to 9 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Nearly stemless rosette w/ huge white flowers (petals to 56 mm) borne in leaf axils; woody caudex — Great Basin, E Sierra, deserts
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Inyo, Lassen, Plumas, Siskiyou, Mono, Riverside
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 cespitosa native to California?
Yes. Oenothera cespitosa is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Oenothera cespitosa grow?
Oenothera cespitosa occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Inyo, Lassen, Plumas, Siskiyou, Mono, Riverside.
What plant family does Oenothera cespitosa belong to?
Oenothera cespitosa 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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.