Santa cruz island suncup
Camissoniopsis hirtella
Last reviewed: September 2026
Santa cruz island suncup (Camissoniopsis hirtella) is a annual forb native to CA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw bees.
Toxicity unknown
Santa cruz island suncup (Camissoniopsis hirtella) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
6"–18" H × 8"–12" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Hairy-stemmed annual wildflower with cupped, bright yellow flowers that often fade to orange with age. Found on dry open slopes and grassy flats.
Growing Santa cruz island suncup
Grow Santa cruz island suncup in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 18 inches tall and spread 8 to 12 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for white-lined sphinx.
Larval host plant for white-lined sphinx moth caterpillars; flowers attract native bees.
Common questions
- How much sun does Santa cruz island suncup need?
- Santa cruz island suncup grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Santa cruz island suncup bloom?
- Santa cruz island suncup blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Santa cruz island suncup native?
- Santa cruz island suncup (Camissoniopsis hirtella) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Santa cruz island suncup host?
- Santa cruz island suncup is a larval host plant for white-lined sphinx.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Santa cruz island suncup? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.