Oenothera stricta subsp. stricta
Forest & Kim Starr (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Annual · Not Native
Oenothera stricta subsp. stricta is a non-native California annual in the Onagraceae family, recognized by very long hypanthium, yellow-to-red-orange petals with red spots.
Eveningprimrose is a naturalized annual found in southern California coastal regions in moist, disturbed places at elevations generally below 500 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces yellow flowers fading to red-orange with distinctive red spots at the base, each petal 15 to 25 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 25 to 100 centimeters tall and covered in fine spreading hairs, some of which are glandular. Its cauline leaves are very narrow, lance-elliptic, 6 to 10 centimeters long with slightly wavy edges and serrated margins. The elongated cylindrical fruit measures 30 to 40 millimeters long, slightly wider toward the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; key features are very long hypanthium, yellow-to-red-orange petals with red spots
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Generally moist, disturbed places
Elevation: generally < 500 m
Outside California: native to Chile
Bloom period
Oenothera stricta subsp. stricta blooms Apr-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 stricta subsp. stricta native to California?
No. Oenothera stricta subsp. stricta is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Oenothera stricta subsp. stricta bloom?
Oenothera stricta subsp. stricta blooms Apr-Sep.
What plant family does Oenothera stricta subsp. stricta belong to?
Oenothera stricta subsp. stricta is in the Onagraceae family, genus Oenothera.
What habitat does Oenothera stricta subsp. stricta grow in?
Oenothera stricta subsp. stricta grows in Uncommon. Generally moist, disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.