Clarkia
Encyclopedia
Clarkia is a genus
within the flowering plant
family Onagraceae
. Over 40 species are currently classified in Clarkia; almost all are native to western North America
, though one species (Clarkia tenella) is native to South America
.
Clarkias are typically annual plant
s, growing to a height of less than 1.5 metres. Their leaves are small and simple, from 1 to 10 cm in length depending on the species. Their flowers have four sepal
s and four petal
s.
Several members of the genus are sometimes referred to by the common name "Godetia", including Clarkia amoena, Clarkia affinis
, and Clarkia lassenensis
(the Lassen Godetia). This is because they were formerly classified in a genus called Godetia, which is no longer recognised since its members have been absorbed into the Clarkia genus. Older sources may still use Godetia as a genus name.
The genus was named in honour of the explorer Captain William Clark.
The Royal Navy
had a warship called HMS Clarkia, a flower class corvette
.
plants, for example the Mountain Garland, Clarkia unguiculata
, the Redspot Clarkia, Clarkia speciosa
, Farewell to Spring, Clarkia amoena
and Clarkia bottae
. There are cultivated varieties of some of these species.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
within the flowering plant
Flowering plant
The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...
family Onagraceae
Onagraceae
Onagraceae, also known as the Willowherb family or Evening Primrose family, are a family of flowering plants. The family includes about 640-650 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees in 20-24 genera...
. Over 40 species are currently classified in Clarkia; almost all are native to western North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, though one species (Clarkia tenella) is native to South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
.
Clarkias are typically annual plant
Annual plant
An annual plant is a plant that usually germinates, flowers, and dies in a year or season. True annuals will only live longer than a year if they are prevented from setting seed...
s, growing to a height of less than 1.5 metres. Their leaves are small and simple, from 1 to 10 cm in length depending on the species. Their flowers have four sepal
Sepal
A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms . Collectively the sepals form the calyx, which is the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. Usually green, sepals have the typical function of protecting the petals when the flower is in bud...
s and four petal
Petal
Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They often are brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. Together, all of the petals of a flower are called a corolla. Petals are usually accompanied by another set of special leaves called sepals lying...
s.
Several members of the genus are sometimes referred to by the common name "Godetia", including Clarkia amoena, Clarkia affinis
Clarkia affinis
Clarkia affinis is a species of wildflower known as chaparral clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it grows mainly on chaparral slopes and woodlands in the Coast Ranges. This is a spindly plant producing erect stems exceeding half a meter in height and sparse narrow leaves. The flower is a...
, and Clarkia lassenensis
Clarkia lassenensis
Clarkia lassenensis is a species of wildflower known by the common name Lassen clarkia. This plant is native to the US states of California, Oregon, and Nevada, where it grows in the mountains and forested plateau. The plant erects a spindly stem and bears sparse narrow leaves. The bowl-shaped...
(the Lassen Godetia). This is because they were formerly classified in a genus called Godetia, which is no longer recognised since its members have been absorbed into the Clarkia genus. Older sources may still use Godetia as a genus name.
The genus was named in honour of the explorer Captain William Clark.
The Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
had a warship called HMS Clarkia, a flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
.
Cultivation
Some species are popular gardenGarden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
plants, for example the Mountain Garland, Clarkia unguiculata
Clarkia unguiculata
Clarkia unguiculata is a species of wildflower known by the common name elegant clarkia. This plant is endemic to California, where it is found in many woodland habitats. Specifically it is common on the forest floor of many oak woodlands, along with typical understory wildflowers that include...
, the Redspot Clarkia, Clarkia speciosa
Clarkia speciosa
Clarkia speciosa is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name redspot clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the Central Coast and mountains and from the Sierra Nevada foothills. The plant is variable across its intergrading...
, Farewell to Spring, Clarkia amoena
Clarkia amoena
Clarkia amoena is a flowering plant native to western North America, found in coastal hills and mountains from British Columbia south to the San Francisco Bay Area....
and Clarkia bottae
Clarkia bottae
Clarkia bottae is a species of wildflower with several common names, including punchbowl godetia, Botta's clarkia, Botta's fairyfan, and hill clarkia. This plant is endemic to the mountains of southern California where it is a member of the chaparral and coastal scrub plant communities...
. There are cultivated varieties of some of these species.
Species
Selected species:- Clarkia affinisClarkia affinisClarkia affinis is a species of wildflower known as chaparral clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it grows mainly on chaparral slopes and woodlands in the Coast Ranges. This is a spindly plant producing erect stems exceeding half a meter in height and sparse narrow leaves. The flower is a...
- Clarkia amoenaClarkia amoenaClarkia amoena is a flowering plant native to western North America, found in coastal hills and mountains from British Columbia south to the San Francisco Bay Area....
(Farewell to Spring) - Clarkia arcuataClarkia arcuataClarkia arcuata is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name glandular clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the chaparral and woodlands of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range. It is an annual herb producing a...
- Clarkia australisClarkia australisClarkia australis is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Small's southern clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the forests of the central Sierra Nevada. It is an uncommon species threatened by such forest activities as logging....
- Clarkia bilobaClarkia bilobaClarkia biloba is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Twolobe clarkia.Clarkia biloba is endemic to California, where it is known from the Sierra Nevada foothills; one subspecies can also be found in the San Francisco Bay Area...
- Clarkia borealisClarkia borealisClarkia borealis is a rare species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name northern clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the forests of the southern Klamath Range and the southernmost Cascade Range foothills. It is an annual herb growing an...
- Clarkia bottaeClarkia bottaeClarkia bottae is a species of wildflower with several common names, including punchbowl godetia, Botta's clarkia, Botta's fairyfan, and hill clarkia. This plant is endemic to the mountains of southern California where it is a member of the chaparral and coastal scrub plant communities...
- Clarkia breweriClarkia breweriClarkia breweri is a species of wildflower known by the common names fairy fans and Brewer's clarkia. This rare plant is endemic to California, where it is known from only seven counties in the central part of the state. It produces produces short stems under 20 centimeters in height and sparse,...
- Clarkia concinnaClarkia concinnaClarkia concinna is a species of wildflower known as red ribbons. It is endemic to California, where it can be found in the low-elevation mountains of the northern part of the state. This is an annual plant with erect, herbaceous stems. The distinctive flowers have four looping sepals of red or...
- Clarkia cylindricaClarkia cylindricaClarkia cylindrica is species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name speckled fairyfan, or speckled clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the chaparral, woodlands and grassland of the coastal mountain ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills...
- Clarkia davyiClarkia davyiClarkia davyi is species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Davy's fairyfan, or Davy's clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it grows in coastal habitats such as beaches and bluffs. This is an annual herb producing a thin stem which grows along the...
- Clarkia delicataClarkia delicataClarkia delicata is a rare species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common names Campo clarkia and delicate clarkia. It is native to northern Baja California and adjacent San Diego County, California, where it grows in the woodland and chaparral of the Peninsular Ranges...
- Clarkia dudleyanaClarkia dudleyanaClarkia dudleyana is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Dudley's clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it can be found in the mountains of the Transverse Ranges and the southern Sierra Nevada foothills. It grows in woodland, forest, and...
- Clarkia epilobioidesClarkia epilobioidesClarkia epilobioides is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name canyon clarkia. It is native to California, Arizona, and Baja California, where it grows in shaded habitat in woodland and chaparral. It is an annual herb producing a slender, erect stem...
- Clarkia exilisClarkia exilisClarkia exilis is a small herbaceous annual plant of western North America. It is an uncommon species in the evening primrose family known by the common names Kern River clarkia and slender clarkia.-Description:...
- Clarkia franciscanaClarkia franciscanaClarkia franciscana is a rare species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Presidio clarkia. It is endemic to the San Francisco Bay Area of California, where it is known only from two populations at the Presidio of San Francisco and three occurrences in Oakland...
- Clarkia gracilisClarkia gracilisClarkia gracilis is a species of wildflower known by the common name slender clarkia. This plant is native to the US states of California, Oregon, and Washington, where it is found in coastal, foothill, valley, and low-elevation mountain habitats...
- Clarkia heterandraClarkia heterandraClarkia heterandra is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name mountain clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is from the forests and woodlands of several of eastern and western mountain ranges. It is an annual herb producing an erect, glandular...
- Clarkia imbricataClarkia imbricataClarkia imbricata is a rare species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Vine Hill clarkia. It is endemic to Sonoma County, California, where it is known from only one remaining natural occurrence near Vine Hill. A second natural population located on private...
- Clarkia jolonensisClarkia jolonensisClarkia jolonensis is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Jolon clarkia. It is endemic to Monterey County, California, where it is known from the woodlands of the Central Coast Ranges....
- Clarkia lassenensisClarkia lassenensisClarkia lassenensis is a species of wildflower known by the common name Lassen clarkia. This plant is native to the US states of California, Oregon, and Nevada, where it grows in the mountains and forested plateau. The plant erects a spindly stem and bears sparse narrow leaves. The bowl-shaped...
- Clarkia lewisiiClarkia lewisiiClarkia lewisii is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Lewis' clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the hills and mountains of Monterey and San Benito Counties. It is an erect annual herb generally under half a meter...
- Clarkia lingulataClarkia lingulataClarkia lingulata is a rare species of wildflower known by the common name Merced clarkia. This plant is endemic to Mariposa County, California, where it is known from only two sites near the Merced River. It is a state-listed endangered species in California. This clarkia erects a spindly stem...
- Clarkia mildrediaeClarkia mildrediaeClarkia mildrediae is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Mildred's clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the forests of the southernmost Cascade Range and northern Sierra Nevada. It is an erect annual herb often...
- Clarkia modestaClarkia modestaClarkia modesta is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Waltham Creek clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the woodlands of several of the central mountain ranges, including the North and Central Coast Ranges and the Sierra...
- Clarkia mosquiniiClarkia mosquiniiClarkia mosquinii is a rare species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Mosquin's clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known only from the northern Sierra Nevada foothills at the border between Butte and Plumas Counties. It was thought to be...
- Clarkia prostrataClarkia prostrataClarkia prostrata is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name prostrate clarkia. It is endemic to the coastline of San Luis Obispo County, California, where it grows on seaside bluffs in forested and grassy areas. This annual herb is prostrate as opposed...
- Clarkia pulchellaClarkia pulchellaClarkia pulchella also known as pinkfairies, ragged robin, and deerhorn clarkia is a species of flowering plant in the Onagraceae family. This wildflower is found in the Pacific Northwest and is the type species of Clarkia...
- Clarkia purpureaClarkia purpureaClarkia purpurea is a species of wildflower known by the common names winecup clarkia, winecup fairyfan, and purple clarkia. This plant is native to western North America where it is found in a variety of habitats. This plant erects a thin reddish stem which may approach a meter in height and has a...
- Clarkia rhomboideaClarkia rhomboideaClarkia rhomboidea is a species of wildflower known by the common names diamond clarkia and forest clarkia. This plant is native to western North America, where it is a common resident of varied forest and woodland habitats. This clarkia grows a spindly stem not exceeding a meter in height and...
- Clarkia rostrataClarkia rostrataClarkia rostrata is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name beaked clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills around the Merced River. This annual herb grows erect to about half a meter in...
- Clarkia rubicundaClarkia rubicundaClarkia rubicunda is a flowering plant endemic to California. It is found mostly in the central part of the state. The plant is known by the common names ruby chalice clarkia and farewell to spring. It is similar in appearance to another flower of genus Clarkia also called farewell to spring...
- Clarkia similisClarkia similisClarkia similis is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Ramona clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the coastal hills and mountains of the southwestern part of the state. It is an annual herb growing erect, approaching a meter...
- Clarkia speciosaClarkia speciosaClarkia speciosa is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name redspot clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the Central Coast and mountains and from the Sierra Nevada foothills. The plant is variable across its intergrading...
- Clarkia springvillensisClarkia springvillensisClarkia springvillensis is a rare species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Springville clarkia. It is endemic to central Tulare County, California, where it is known from fewer than 20 occurrences around Springville. It is a federally listed threatened...
- Clarkia stellata
- Clarkia tembloriensisClarkia tembloriensisClarkia tembloriensis is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Temblor Range clarkia.-Distribution:...
- Clarkia tenella
- Clarkia unguiculataClarkia unguiculataClarkia unguiculata is a species of wildflower known by the common name elegant clarkia. This plant is endemic to California, where it is found in many woodland habitats. Specifically it is common on the forest floor of many oak woodlands, along with typical understory wildflowers that include...
(Mountain Garland; syn. C. elegans) - Clarkia virgataClarkia virgataClarkia virgata is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Sierra clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the forests and woodlands of the Sierra Nevada.-Description:...
- Clarkia williamsoniiClarkia williamsoniiClarkia williamsonii is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Fort Miller clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the forests and woodlands of the northern and central Sierra Nevada foothills. This is an erect annual herb with...
- Clarkia xantiana Clarkia xantianaClarkia xantiana is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name gunsight clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the southern Sierra Nevada and its foothills and the adjacent Transverse Ranges. This is an erect annual herb with linear to...