Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides
Photo: parent species Oenothera deltoides · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family.
Evening primrose is a California native annual found in the Desert bioregion in sandy soils, including dunes, at elevations generally below 1,100 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow flowers with petals 15 to 43 millimeters long. Growing with branched stems 20 to 100 centimeters tall that have spreading hairs up to 1.5 millimeters long, it spreads widely across sandy landscapes. Its leaves become more dentate toward the stem tips, creating a distinctive green outline against the sandy habitat. The fruit develops with a base 2 to 3 millimeters wide, supporting the plant's annual reproductive cycle.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, including dunes
Elevation: generally < 1100 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, Los Angeles, San Diego, Kern, Inyo, Fresno
Outside California: southern Nevada, western Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides blooms Mar-May.
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 subsp. deltoides native to California?
Yes. Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides bloom?
Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides grow?
Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, Los Angeles, San Diego, Kern, Inyo, Fresno, at elevations of generally < 1100 m.
What plant family does Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides belong to?
Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides is in the Onagraceae family, genus Oenothera.
What habitat does Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides grow in?
Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides grows in Sandy soils, including dunes.
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.