1. California Sun Cups – Camissonia bistorta
(kam-is-OWN-ee-a bis-TOR-ta)
Family: Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family)
Native to: Southwestern CA to Baja; sandy fields near coast and openings in grasslands, coastalsage scrub or chaparral, especially after fire or other disturbance.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous annual/perennial mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.
Low growing, somewhat sprawling short-lived perennial, often grown as annual.
Leaves linear in a basal rosette, more lance-shaped on flowering stalks.
Stem is reddish.
Blooms Mar-June.
Masses of ½ - 1" bright yellow, open, cup-shaped flowers.
Flowers are typical for Camissonia, with ball-shaped stigma (female parts). Very showy and longblooming. Fruit is an elongated, linear capsule with many tiny seeds.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Excellent addition to wildflower beds, native prairies. Early and long-blooming.
Good edging plant. Also does well in planters, pots and hanging baskets.
desert tortoises. Young leaves are edible (boiled as greens) as are seeds.
Safe for pets, including
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Evening Primrose and other cascading yellow annuals.
Attracts: Excellent nectar source for bees and other pollinators.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun
Sandy best; should be well-drained
Requires winter rains/watering; needs summer drought to set seeds
None required
Management:
Little required. Manage like any South Bay native annual.
Will re-seed on bare
soil.
Propagation: from seed:
Allow seed to mature on plant, then gather near-ripe pods or let plant
self-seed. Sow in prepared beds/pots from winter through spring. Relatively easy.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10, 13, 16, 20
11/25/10
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