Oenothera wolfii
Wolf's evening-primrose
(c) Grant Chovil, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Oenothera wolfii (Wolf's evening-primrose) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by coastal habitat, very long hypanthium, and dense red-based hairs.
Wolf's evening-primrose is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native biennial found in northern California Coast and Klamath Ranges in coastal sand environments, including dunes, bluffs, and moist roadsides at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces yellow flowers that gracefully fade to red-orange, with large blooms held on an elongated spike. Growing 5 to 10 decimeters tall with erect stems densely covered in fine strigose hairs, some with distinctive red, blister-like bases, the plant has a striking visual texture. Its narrow lance-shaped leaves measure 5 to 18 centimeters long, characterized by wavy and toothed edges that become more prominently dentate toward the stem's upper portions. The fruit develops as a nearly cylindrical structure 30 to 48 millimeters long, containing small, irregularly pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are coastal habitat, very long hypanthium, and dense red-based hairs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal sand, including dunes, bluffs, roadsides, generally moist places (perhaps also inland)
Elevation: < 100 m (+- 800 m, Carrville, Trinity Co.)
California counties: Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, San Luis Obispo, Mendocino, Los Angeles
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Oenothera wolfii blooms May-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 wolfii native to California?
Yes. Oenothera wolfii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oenothera wolfii bloom?
Oenothera wolfii blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Oenothera wolfii grow?
Oenothera wolfii occurs in Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, San Luis Obispo, Mendocino, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 100 m (+- 800 m, Carrville, Trinity Co.).
What plant family does Oenothera wolfii belong to?
Oenothera wolfii is in the Onagraceae family, genus Oenothera.
Is Oenothera wolfii rare or endangered?
Oenothera wolfii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Oenothera xenogaura — Drummond's gaura
- Oenothera xylocarpa — Wood fruit evening primrose
- Oenothera avita — California evening primrose
- Oenothera avita subsp. avita
- Oenothera avita subsp. californica
- Oenothera avita subsp. eurekensis — Eureka dunes evening-primrose
- Onagraceae sp. — Evening-primrose family
- Taraxia ovata — Goldeneggs
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.