White-Stemmed Clarkia
(Clarkia gracilis ssp. albicaulis )
Onagraceae (evening primrose family)

Photo by Joe Molter, BLM

Description: Annual herb with stems less than 3 feet long. Leaves linear to spear-shaped, 3/4 - 2 3/4 inches (2-7cm) long, 1/8 - 1/4 inch (2-6mm) wide. Flowers have a bowl-shaped corolla. Petals are pinkish-lavender, to light purple shading to white near middle, with a red base. Sepals are spear-shaped, 5/8 - 1 inch (1.5-2.5cm) long, and stay fused in 4's. The fruit is a capsule, 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) long, 1/8 inch (2-3mm) wide, with a slender beak. Seeds are brown and often mottled, 1/16 inch (1.5-2mm) long. 

Distribution:

Habitat: Foothill woodland. Elevation 784 - 3472 feet.

Flowering Period: Blooms May - July.

Similar Plants:

Status: BLM Sensitive, California Native Plant Society List 1B