Oenothera curtiflora
Lizard-tail, velvet weed, Velvet Weed
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Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Oenothera curtiflora (Lizard-tail) is a non-native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by extremely small flower parts.
Lizard-tail is a naturalized annual found in the San Francisco Bay Area and southwestern California in cultivated fields, pastures, and disturbed streambanks at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces pale yellow to white flowers that are small and barely opening, with petals just 1.5 to 3 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 20 to 200 centimeters tall, it is densely covered in short glandular hairs with occasional long spreading hairs. Its narrow elliptic to ovate leaves are 20 to 125 millimeters long with slightly wavy-toothed edges, creating a delicate textured appearance. The plant produces distinctive fusiform fruits that are 5 to 11 millimeters long, with four angles and eight ribs near the base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; extremely small flower parts are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Cultivated fields, pastures, disturbed areas, streambanks
Elevation: < 400 m
Outside California: probably native to central United States, naturalized widely
Bloom period
Oenothera curtiflora blooms Jul-Aug.
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 curtiflora native to California?
No. Oenothera curtiflora is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Oenothera curtiflora bloom?
Oenothera curtiflora blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Oenothera curtiflora belong to?
Oenothera curtiflora is in the Onagraceae family, genus Oenothera.
What habitat does Oenothera curtiflora grow in?
Oenothera curtiflora grows in Cultivated fields, pastures, disturbed areas, streambanks.
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.