Kingdom Plantae Family Onagraceae Scientific name Clarkia rostrata Rank Species | Order Myrtales Genus Clarkia Higher classification Clarkia | |
Similar Clarkia, Clarkia davyi, Clarkia modesta, Clarkia delicata, Clarkia mildrediae | ||
Clarkia rostrata is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name beaked clarkia.
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Distribution
The wildflower is endemic to California, where it is known from the California oak woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills around the Merced River in Mariposa County.
Description
Clarkia rostrata is an annual herb that grows erect to about 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) in maximum height. The lance-shaped leaves are up to about 6 centimetres (2.4 in) long.
The inflorescence bears opening flowers below closed, hanging flower buds. The reddish or purplish sepals 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 stamens, some tipped with large lavender anthers and some with smaller, paler anthers.