Oenothera deltoides
Devil's lantern, lion-in-a-cage, basket evening-primrose, Basket Evening-Primrose
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Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Oenothera deltoides (Devil's lantern) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by Loosely rosetted annual/perennial w/ stout spongy peeling stems (dead plant = 'bird-cage') & nodding buds; white petals fade pink —….
Devil's lantern is a California native perennial found in desert regions in sandy or open habitats. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white flowers that fade to pink, with large blooms emerging from nodding buds. Growing with decumbent or erect stems 20 to 100 centimeters tall that are stout and spongy with peeling texture, it forms loosely rosetted clusters. Its leaves are diamond-shaped to oblanceolate, ranging 2 to 15 centimeters long and varying from nearly entire to pinnately lobed. The fruit is a cylindrical, generally curved pod 2 to 6 centimeters long that becomes slightly twisted as it matures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Loosely rosetted annual/perennial w/ stout spongy peeling stems (dead plant = 'bird-cage') & nodding buds; white petals fade pink — deserts to GV sands
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Ventura, Riverside, Imperial, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Kern, Inyo, San Diego, Lassen, Santa Barbara
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 deltoides native to California?
Yes. Oenothera deltoides is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Oenothera deltoides grow?
Oenothera deltoides occurs in San Bernardino, Ventura, Riverside, Imperial, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Kern, Inyo and other counties.
What plant family does Oenothera deltoides belong to?
Oenothera deltoides 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.