Beaked Clarkia
(Clarkia rostrata )
Onagraceae

Photo Copyright 1996 Dean Wm. Taylor

Description: Annual herb with erect stem less than 24 inches (60 cm) in height.  Buds pendent. Flowers pink to purplish red and corolla bowl-shaped.   Petals 3/8 - 1 inch (1-2.5 cm), fan-shaped, pinkish lavender shading to white near middle, often darker-flecked, base reddish purple. The fruit has a distinctive long thin "beak," a narrow extension at the top of the capsule that contains no seeds.

Distribution: This species is known from eastern Stanislaus and Merced counties and western Mariposa County.  BLM manages habitat in the vicinity of Hornitos and Bear Valley in Mariposa County.

Habitat: Oak-pine woodland, valley and foothill grasslands at more or less 1600 feet (500 meters).

Flowering Period: April-May

Similar Plants:

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