Clarkia mildrediae
Encyclopedia
Clarkia 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 exceeding half a meter in height. The oval leaves grow up to 6 centimeters long and are borne on petioles
of up to 4 centimeters. The inflorescence
bears opening flowers and hanging, pointed flower buds. As the bud opens the sepal
s all separate instead of remaining fused as those of many other Clarkia species do. The triangular to semicircuclar petals are about 2 centimeters long and lavender to bright reddish-purple, sometimes with dark speckling. There are 8 stamen
s with anthers all alike, and a protruding stigma
.
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...
known by the common name Mildred's clarkia. It is endemic to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where it is known from the forests of the southernmost Cascade Range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
and northern Sierra Nevada. It is an erect annual herb often exceeding half a meter in height. The oval leaves grow up to 6 centimeters long and are borne on petioles
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
of up to 4 centimeters. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
bears opening flowers and hanging, pointed flower buds. As the bud opens the 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 all separate instead of remaining fused as those of many other Clarkia species do. The triangular to semicircuclar petals are about 2 centimeters long and lavender to bright reddish-purple, sometimes with dark speckling. There are 8 stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s with anthers all alike, and a protruding stigma
Gynoecium
Gynoecium is most commonly used as a collective term for all carpels in a flower. A carpel is the ovule and seed producing reproductive organ in flowering plants. Carpels are derived from ovule-bearing leaves which evolved to form a closed structure containing the ovules...
.