Oryctes nevadensis
Nevada oryctes
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Oryctes nevadensis (Nevada oryctes) is a native California herb in the Solanaceae family, recognized by Rare genus with extremely limited range, shared with Nevada.
Nevada oryctes is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native annual found in southern Inyo County in sandy soils and dunes at elevations of 1,200 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces dull brownish yellow to peach-brown flowers in small axillary umbels. Growing 5 to 20 centimeters tall with a slender branched taproot and sticky-glandular stems, it has a delicate, leafy appearance. Its linear to ovate leaves are 1 to 3 centimeters long, slightly wavy, with narrow winged petioles 5 to 10 millimeters long. The fruit is a small spheric capsule 6 to 7 millimeters in diameter, containing 10 to 15 round, flat seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Rare genus with extremely limited range, shared with Nevada
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, dunes
Elevation: 1200-1500 m
California counties: Inyo
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Oryctes nevadensis blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Datura: Oryctes has tiny urn-shaped flowers; Datura has large showy trumpet flowers.; vs Nicandra: Oryctes has narrow urn flowers and flat-winged seeds; Nicandra has winged calyx lobes at base.; vs Nicotiana: Oryctes has narrow urn-shaped flowers; Nicotiana has tubular flowers in branching clusters.; vs Petunia: Oryctes has narrow urn flowers in Great Basin; Petunia has large trumpet flowers and sticky texture.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oryctes nevadensis native to California?
Yes. Oryctes nevadensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oryctes nevadensis bloom?
Oryctes nevadensis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Oryctes nevadensis grow?
Oryctes nevadensis occurs in Inyo, at elevations of 1200-1500 m.
What plant family does Oryctes nevadensis belong to?
Oryctes nevadensis is in the Solanaceae family, genus Oryctes.
Is Oryctes nevadensis rare or endangered?
Oryctes nevadensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.