Taxon Report

Camissonia benitensis Raven

San Benito evening-primrose

Print Report


© 2005 David A Tharp

Species Description:
Camissonia benitensis, commonly known as San Benito evening-primrose, is a annual herb in the Onagraceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, and Valley and foothill grassland, growing at elevations from 600 to 1280 meters. Camissonia benitensis is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

  Classification

Scientific Name:
Camissonia benitensis Raven
Common Name:
San Benito evening-primrose
Family: Onagraceae
Element Code: PDONA03030
USDA Plants Symbol: CABE7
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jun Apr-Jun
Elevation: 600-1280 (1970-4200)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat: Carbonate (sometimes), Gravelly (sometimes), Serpentine
Microhabitat Details: serpentinite alluvium

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 60
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 4
   Good (B) 5
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 1
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 49
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Fresno (FRE), Monterey (MNT), San Benito (SBT)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Hepsedam Peak (3612037), Hernandez Reservoir (3612047), Idria (3612046), Lonoak (3612038), Priest Valley (3612026), Rock Spring Peak (3612048), San Benito Mtn. (3612036), Santa Rita Peak (3612035)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 8
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
14 23 %
ORV activity 11 18%
Recreational use (non-ORV) 5 8%
Other 4 6%
Grazing 4 6%
Non-native plant impacts 3 5%
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime 3 5%
Road/trail construction/maint. 3 5%
Development 1 1%

Notes

Federally listed on 1985-02-12; Delisted due to Recovery on 2022-03-07. Known only from the New Idria area. Previously seriously threatened by vehicles. Protected in part at ACEC (BLM). See Contributions from the U.S. National Herbarium 37(5):332 (1969) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Recovery Plan for Camissonia benitensis (San Benito Evening-Primrose) (USFWS 2006)
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 15 January 2025].