# beach suncup (*Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia*) The beach suncup is a bright yellow flower that loves to grow in sandy places near the ocean. Its cheerful blooms can be seen dancing in the breeze, making the beach even more beautiful! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![beach suncup](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Oenothera_cheiranthifolia.JPG&width=800) Photo: No machine-readable author provided. NoahElhardt assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oenothera_cheiranthifolia.JPG) ## Appearance The beach suncup has bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers with four distinct petals, often appearing in clusters. Its leaves are typically gray-green, spoon-shaped, and covered in fine hairs. It grows low to the ground, forming spreading mats against sandy backdrops. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Myrtales - **Family:** Onagraceae - **Genus:** Camissoniopsis ## Interesting facts - Each tiny seed pod looks like a super curly, twisted ribbon as it dries. - It's sometimes called 'California Primrose' because it often blooms early in the year. - Its bright yellow flowers actually turn to follow the sun across the sky! - The entire plant often lies flat, hugging the sand to avoid strong ocean winds. ## Special abilities - **Deep Drinker:** beach suncup has a long taproot that can reach deep into the sand to find precious water, helping it survive dry spells. - **Salt Shield:** Its fuzzy, silvery leaves are covered in fine hairs that protect it from salty sea spray and help it conserve water. - **Sand Wrestler:** The beach suncup can grow new roots and stems when buried by shifting sands, helping it survive fierce coastal winds. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 5-30 cm - **Spread:** 15-45 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to Fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Annual - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from flowers. - **Pollinates:** [Yellow-faced bumble bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-faced-bumble-bee) (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** Marmalade hoverfly (*Syrphus ribesii*) — Adults feed on nectar, aiding pollination. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Salt Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/salt-tolerant): Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always be gentle when exploring flowers and avoid picking them without permission. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify beach suncup? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is beach suncup? 5-30 cm ### How wide does beach suncup spread? 15-45 cm ### How big are the flowers on beach suncup? 1-3 cm ### When does beach suncup bloom? Spring to Fall ### Is beach suncup edible? No ### Is beach suncup toxic? None ### What is beach suncup's lifecycle? Annual ## Where to spot - [Point Dume State Beach](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/point-dume-state-beach) — California, US · State Park - [Sunset State Beach](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sunset-state-beach) — California, US · State Park - [Mission Bay Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mission-bay-park) — California, US · Park - [San Clemente State Beach](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-clemente-state-beach) — California, US · State Park [View all places to see beach suncup](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/beach-suncup) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Beach Suncup: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/beach-suncup)