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Kern County evening-primrose

Scientific Name: Camissonia kernensis ssp. kernensis

Family: Onagraceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Camissonia kernensis (Kern County Evening Primrose)

Camissonia kernensis, commonly known as the Kern County evening primrose or Kern suncup, is an annual herb endemic to California. It belongs to the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). This plant is particularly associated with Kern County, though it also appears in other areas of California.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is an herb/forb and, as such, may be tempting for animals to graze upon.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Camissonia kernensis (Munz) P.H. Raven
  • Common Names: Kern County evening primrose, Kern suncup
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonyms: Includes Camissonia kernensis ssp. kernensis and Camissonia kernensis ssp. gilmanii.
  • Alternative Scientific Name: Camissonia benitensis (San Benito Evening Primrose)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to California, particularly Kern County.
  • Specific locations include Walker Basin, Lost Hills, Cuddeback Lake, and the Kern River Valley area in Kern County, Carrizo Plain National Monument in San Luis Obispo County, and areas in Tulare County.
  • Found near Chico Martinez Canyon, which supports a saltbush scrub plant community.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • An annual herb/forb.

Ecological Role

  • Camissonia kernensis serves as a host plant for the Kern Primrose Sphinx Moth (Euproserpinus euterpe).
  • The moth's larvae feed on plants in the primrose family (Onagraceae), and females may mistakenly lay eggs on filaree (Erodium cicutarium), an exotic weed.

Quirky Facts

  • The Kern Primrose Sphinx Moth, which relies on Camissonia kernensis, was once thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in Kern County in 1974.
  • Arvin’s Wildflower Festival celebrates the fields of wildflowers in Kern County, including the brown-eyed evening primrose, California poppy, and other species.

Further Information

  • Discover Life provides a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Camissonia kernensis.
  • Wikipedia is also referenced as a source of information.