Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima
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Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by extreme height and inland moist habitat.
Coastal evening primrose is a California native biennial found in moist inland habitats at elevations up to 2,800 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces yellow flowers with green or red-flushed sepals and distinctive spreading reddish hairs. Growing 1 to 2.5 meters tall with robust stems that range from glandular to hairy, it develops an impressive vertical structure. Its leaves are elongated and somewhat textured, characteristic of the evening primrose family. The flower buds feature free sepals 3 to 6 millimeters long, with prominent anthers 8 to 15 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; distinguished by extreme height and inland moist habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist places, generally inland
Elevation: < 2800 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura, Orange, San Bernardino, Fresno, Tuolumne, Tulare, Mono, Modoc, Trinity, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Monterey, Inyo, Siskiyou, Mariposa, Lassen, Plumas, Merced, Santa Cruz, Kern, Alpine, Sacramento, Del Norte, Nevada, El Dorado, Amador, Placer, Sutter, Yolo, San Joaquin, Butte, Tehama, Yuba, Shasta, Napa, Mendocino, San Francisco, Madera, San Luis Obispo
Outside California: western United States, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima blooms Jun-Sep.
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 elata subsp. hirsutissima native to California?
Yes. Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima bloom?
Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima grow?
Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima occurs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura, Orange, San Bernardino, Fresno, Tuolumne, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of < 2800 m.
What plant family does Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima belong to?
Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima is in the Onagraceae family, genus Oenothera.
What habitat does Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima grow in?
Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima grows in Moist places, generally inland.
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.