Oenothera deltoides subsp. piperi
Photo: parent species Oenothera deltoides · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Oenothera deltoides subsp. piperi is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by small stature and deeply lobed leaves.
Piper's evening primrose is a California native annual found in the Modoc Plateau in sandy sagebrush scrub and dune habitats at elevations of 850 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces delicate pale flowers with petals 15 to 25 millimeters long. Growing with stems generally less than 10 centimeters tall and often simple or sparingly branched from the base, it has a compact and low-growing form. Its distal leaves are distinctively pinnately lobed, featuring wavy or curly hairs that give the plant a soft, textured appearance. The small fruit has a base 3 to 5 millimeters wide, complementing the plant's diminutive stature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are small stature and deeply lobed leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand, including dunes, sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 850-1800 m
California counties: Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Mono, Plumas, Sierra, San Bernardino, Inyo, Alpine
Outside California: central Oregon, western Nevada
Bloom period
Oenothera deltoides subsp. piperi 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. piperi native to California?
Yes. Oenothera deltoides subsp. piperi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oenothera deltoides subsp. piperi bloom?
Oenothera deltoides subsp. piperi blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Oenothera deltoides subsp. piperi grow?
Oenothera deltoides subsp. piperi occurs in Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Mono, Plumas, Sierra, San Bernardino, Inyo and other counties, at elevations of 850-1800 m.
What plant family does Oenothera deltoides subsp. piperi belong to?
Oenothera deltoides subsp. piperi is in the Onagraceae family, genus Oenothera.
What habitat does Oenothera deltoides subsp. piperi grow in?
Oenothera deltoides subsp. piperi grows in Sand, including dunes, sagebrush scrub.
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.