Field primrose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Field primrose |
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| Camissonia campestris near Gorman, California | |
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| Genus: |
Camissonia
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| Species: |
campestris
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Camissonia campestris, often called the field primrose or Mojave suncup, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Onagraceae family, which is also known as the evening primrose family. This plant naturally grows in the Mojave Desert region of the United States.
About the Mojave Suncup
The Mojave suncup is a type of annual plant. This means it completes its entire life cycle—from seed to flower to seed—within just one year. It usually grows to be about 5 to 25 centimeters (2 to 10 inches) tall. Sometimes, it can even reach up to 50 centimeters (20 inches) tall!
What Does It Look Like?
The leaves of the Mojave suncup are long and narrow, like a line. They are usually about 0.5 to 3 centimeters (0.2 to 1.2 inches) long. The edges of the leaves have tiny, fine teeth, which is called a serrated margin.
The flowers of this plant are quite striking. Each flower has four petals. These petals are typically 5 to 15 millimeters (0.2 to 0.6 inches) long. They are bright yellow, and each petal has a small red spot right at its base. As the flowers get older, their color changes from yellow to an orange or reddish shade.
Where Does It Grow?
You can find the Mojave suncup mostly in open, sandy areas. It thrives in the flat parts of the desert. This plant grows at different elevations, from sea level all the way up to 2,000 meters (about 6,500 feet) high. It is most common in the western and central parts of the Mojave Desert.
