Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana
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Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by erect habit, open inflorescence, and inland forest habitat.
Hunter's farewell clarkia is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and northern San Francisco Bay Area in openings within forest and woodland habitats at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces delicate petals 15 to 30 millimeters long in an open, spreading arrangement. Growing with upright stems that feature distinctive long internodes between flowers, it reaches a slender, elegant form typical of its genus. Its flowers display an intricate structure with a cylindric ovary marked by four distinct grooves, creating a subtle geometric pattern. The plant's open, airy inflorescence allows its blooms to stand out gracefully against woodland backgrounds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; distinguished by erect habit, open inflorescence, and inland forest habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in forest, woodland, generally not on coast
Elevation: < 700 m
California counties: Lake, Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Del Norte, Trinity, Marin, Napa, Santa Cruz, San Bernardino, Shasta, Siskiyou
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Epilobium: Clarkia seeds lack a hair tuft and its petals are broad, often clawed or lobed; Epilobium and Chamerion have seeds bearing a tuft of silky hairs and long, thin capsules.; vs Oenothera: Clarkia flowers are pink to lavender-purple and its buds nod before opening; Oenothera flowers are generally yellow (or white), larger, and open at dusk.; vs Camissonia: Clarkia petals are pink-purple, often fan-shaped or lobed with a distinct claw; Camissonia and Camissoniopsis have yellow, unlobed petals.; vs Sidalcea: Clarkia has 4 petals, an inferior ovary, and a 4-lobed stigma; Sidalcea (checkerbloom) has 5 petals, a superior ovary, and a central mallow staminal column.; vs Gayophytum: Clarkia is showy with petals 10-35 mm; Gayophytum has minute white-to-pink flowers only a few mm across on thread-like branches.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana native to California?
Yes. Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana bloom?
Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana grow?
Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana occurs in Lake, Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Del Norte, Trinity, Marin, Napa and other counties, at elevations of < 700 m.
What plant family does Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana belong to?
Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
What habitat does Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana grow in?
Clarkia amoena subsp. huntiana grows in Openings in forest, woodland, generally not on coast.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.