Oenothera villosa subsp. strigosa
JW Stockert (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC0
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Oenothera villosa subsp. strigosa is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by red-based hairs, tall stature, and spaced fruits on stem.
Large-flowered evening primrose is a California native biennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Interior Ranges, Cascade Range highlands, and North Coast ranges in moist forest openings at elevations of 500 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces bright yellow flowers that fade to pale orange, with petals 7 to 20 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 50 to 200 centimeters tall, covered in fine strigose hairs and often featuring distinctive red-based spreading hairs. Its lance-shaped leaves are 10 to 30 centimeters long, ranging from entire to minutely toothed, with a notable strigose texture. The elongated cylindrical fruit measures 20 to 35 millimeters long, containing small angled seeds with irregular pitting.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; key features are red-based hairs, tall stature, and spaced fruits on stem
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist openings in forest
Elevation: especially 500-2000 m
Outside California: to southwestern Canada, central United States
Bloom period
Oenothera villosa subsp. strigosa blooms Jul-Aug.
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 villosa subsp. strigosa native to California?
Yes. Oenothera villosa subsp. strigosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oenothera villosa subsp. strigosa bloom?
Oenothera villosa subsp. strigosa blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Oenothera villosa subsp. strigosa belong to?
Oenothera villosa subsp. strigosa is in the Onagraceae family, genus Oenothera.
What habitat does Oenothera villosa subsp. strigosa grow in?
Oenothera villosa subsp. strigosa grows in Moist openings in forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.