• Sandysoil Suncup
  • Contorted Primrose
Camissonia strigulosa
Family: Onagraceae (Evening Primrose)
Flowers — color: yellow, size: 1/4", type: 4 petals

Small 1/4" bright yellow flowers develop at leaf nodes near the end of the main and branching stems. The four circular petals don't overlap. A petal may have red dots near their base. The eight stamens and prominent pistil are all yellow. Flowers seem identical to its relatives, miniature and intermediate suncup.

Suncup flower, seedpod, leaf detail wider view of photo #1 main stem has many side branches same angle, focus on base

Habit:
Small bright yellow flowers draw attention to the Sandysoil Suncup. It is an annual herb that prefers sandy areas. The main stem has fine hairs, rises up to a foot or more, and turns red. The leaves are very narrow and several inches long. The leaf edges have several lumpy teeth and also get a reddish tinge. After blooming, a very narrow reddish seed pod develops, each holding dozens of seeds. Sandy, very exposed open areas in grassland.