Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by coastal habitat and moderate height.
Evening primrose is a California native biennial found in central and southern coastal regions in moist, sandy coastal and slightly inland bluffs at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces yellow flowers with distinctive red-flushed sepals and glandular hairs with conspicuous red, blister-like bases. Growing 4 to 8 decimeters tall with erect stems that are characterized by spreading, glandular hairs. Its leaves are arranged alternately along the stem, with a soft, somewhat irregular shape adapting to its coastal habitat. The flower's anthers extend 12 to 23 millimeters, creating a striking display against the plant's yellow petals.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; distinguished by coastal habitat and moderate height
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, coastal, slightly inland, sandy bluffs
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Sutter, San Mateo, Marin, San Francisco, Napa, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Diego, Orange, Lassen, Santa Barbara, Inyo, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, Madera, Humboldt, Siskiyou, San Bernardino, Sonoma, Yolo, San Joaquin, Mono, Placer
Bloom period
Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri 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. hookeri native to California?
Yes. Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri bloom?
Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri grow?
Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri occurs in San Luis Obispo, Sutter, San Mateo, Marin, San Francisco, Napa, Santa Cruz, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri belong to?
Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri is in the Onagraceae family, genus Oenothera.
What habitat does Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri grow in?
Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri grows in Moist, coastal, slightly inland, sandy bluffs.
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.