Oenothera californica
Encyclopedia
Oenothera californica is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family
known by the common name California evening primrose. It is native to parts of the southwestern United States and Baja California
, where it can be found in deserts and woodlands.
There are three subspecies of this plant, one of which, the rare Eureka Dunes evening primrose (ssp. eurekensis), is a federally listed endangered species
. It is sometimes listed as its synonym
, Oenothera avita ssp. eurekensis. This subspecies is known from only a few occurrences in the Eureka Valley Sand Dunes
in the Eureka Valley of Inyo County, California
, where it grows alongside another dune endemic, the endangered Eureka Valley dune grass
(Swallenia alexandrae).
The main threat to the Eureka Dunes evening primrose was off-road vehicle
use. This threat has been eliminated and the plant's situation is much improved. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended the plant be removed from the endangered species list.
Onagraceae
Onagraceae, also known as the Willowherb family or Evening Primrose family, are a family of flowering plants. The family includes about 640-650 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees in 20-24 genera...
known by the common name California evening primrose. It is native to parts of the southwestern United States and Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
, where it can be found in deserts and woodlands.
Description
Oenothera californica is a perennial herb producing a spreading or upright stem up to 80 centimeters long. Young plants have a basal rosette of leaves, while older ones have leaves along the stem, lance-shaped to nearly oval in shape and up to 6 centimeters long. Flowers occur in the upper leaf axils, drooping in bud and becoming erect as they bloom. The four petals are white, fading pink, and may exceed 3 centimeters long.There are three subspecies of this plant, one of which, the rare Eureka Dunes evening primrose (ssp. eurekensis), is a federally listed endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
. It is sometimes listed as its synonym
Synonym (taxonomy)
In scientific nomenclature, a synonym is a scientific name that is or was used for a taxon of organisms that also goes by a different scientific name. For example, Linnaeus was the first to give a scientific name to the Norway spruce, which he called Pinus abies...
, Oenothera avita ssp. eurekensis. This subspecies is known from only a few occurrences in the Eureka Valley Sand Dunes
Eureka Valley Sand Dunes
The Eureka Valley Sand Dunes are located in the southern part of Eureka Valley, in northern Inyo County in eastern California, in the southwestern United States...
in the Eureka Valley of Inyo County, California
Inyo County, California
-National protected areas:* Death Valley National Park * Inyo National Forest * Manzanar National Historic Site-Major highways:* U.S. Route 6* U.S. Route 395* State Route 127* State Route 136* State Route 168* State Route 178...
, where it grows alongside another dune endemic, the endangered Eureka Valley dune grass
Swallenia
Swallenia is a monotypic genus containing the single species of grass Swallenia alexandrae, which is known by the common names Eureka dunegrass and Eureka Valley dune grass...
(Swallenia alexandrae).
The main threat to the Eureka Dunes evening primrose was off-road vehicle
Off-road vehicle
An off-road vehicle is considered to be any type of vehicle which is capable of driving on and off paved or gravel surface. It is generally characterized by having large tires with deep, open treads, a flexible suspension, or even caterpillar tracks...
use. This threat has been eliminated and the plant's situation is much improved. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended the plant be removed from the endangered species list.
See also
- Category: Flora of the California desert regions