Clarkia rostrata
Encyclopedia
Clarkia 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 maximum height. The lance-shaped leaves are up to about 6 centimeters long. The inflorescence
bears opening flowers below closed, hanging flower buds. The reddish or purplish sepal
s stay fused together as the flower opens from one side. The fan-shaped petals are lavender-pink, lightening to nearly white at the bases, where it turns reddish purple. There are 8 stamen
s, some tipped with large lavender anthers and some with smaller, paler anthers.
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 beaked 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 woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills around the Merced River
Merced River
The Merced River , in the central part of the U.S. state of California, is a -long tributary of the San Joaquin River flowing from the Sierra Nevada into the Central Valley. It is most well known for its swift and steep course through the southern part of Yosemite National Park, and the...
. This annual herb grows erect to about half a meter in maximum height. The lance-shaped leaves are up to about 6 centimeters long. 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 below closed, hanging flower buds. The reddish or purplish 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 stay fused together as the flower opens from one side. The fan-shaped petals are lavender-pink, lightening to nearly white at the bases, where it turns reddish purple. There are 8 stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s, some tipped with large lavender anthers and some with smaller, paler anthers.