Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Huntington Beach, CA.3-15-09. © Joan Avise

Beach Evening Primrose

Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia ssp. sufruticosa

A short-lived perennial with 2 ft. prostrate stems radiating from a central rosette.   It can form dense stands on beaches and sand dunes along the entire CA coast. In Orange County it can be found at Huntington State Beach, especially in and around the Least Tern enclosures and beside the PCH in Bolsa Chica Wetlands.   Plants are gray-green covered with downy hairs. Flowers are about 3/4 in. across with 4 bright yellow petals which fade to red, 4 reflexed sepals and two pairs of 4 stamens: a shorter set attached to the petal base, the other set longer and free.  The ball-shaped stigma extends beyond them.  The fruits are hairy reddish quadrangular capsules less than an inch long. 

Native to coastal California

Back to Onagraceae of Orange County, California
Back to Eudicots of Orange County, California
Back to Natural History of Orange County, California


Four long and four short stamens attached to petal base. Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Huntington Beach, CA. 3-15-09. © Joan Avise

Flower about 3/4 in. diameter. Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Huntington Beach, CA. 3-15-09. © Joan Avise

Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Huntington Beach, CA.3-15-09. © Joan Avise

Branches radiating from central taproot. Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Huntington Beach, CA.3-15-09. © Joan Avise

Huntington State Beach, Orange Co., CA. 3-26-06

Forming quadrangular seed capsules on lower branch. Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Huntington Beach, CA.3-15-09

Grayish-green foliage. Huntington State Beach, Orange Co., CA. 3-26-06

Foliage densely hairy. Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Huntington Beach, CA. 4-06-08