Oenothera cespitosa subsp. marginata

Family: Onagraceae · Type: perennial · Native

Tufted evening primrose is a California native perennial found in the Great Basin and Mojave Desert in rocky or sandy sites from pinyon/juniper woodland to pine forest at elevations to 2,400 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces lavender to pink flowers that fade in color over time. Growing in loose tufts with stems forming small clusters, it reaches moderate heights in its rocky mountain habitats. Its leaves form spreading rosettes with a distinctive tufted growth pattern, creating low-spreading mats across granite, limestone, and sandstone terrain. The elongated fruit capsules measure 25 to 68 millimeters long, extending from slender base stalks.

Habitat: Rocky or sandy sites in granite, limestone, or sandstone soils, pinyon/juniper woodland to pine forest

Bloom period: Apr-Aug

Elevation: < 2400 m

Bioregions: GB, D

California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Riverside, Mono, Kern, Placer, Alpine

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