Clarkia amoena subsp. whitneyi
Whitney's farewell-to-spring, Whitney's Farewell-To-Spring
(c) Annie's Annuals & Perennials, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Clarkia amoena subsp. whitneyi (Whitney's farewell-to-spring) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by very large petals and fusiform ovary with 8 grooves.
Whitney's farewell-to-spring is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the northern Coast Range from Fort Bragg to Shelter Cove in open coastal scrub at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from July to August, this delicate plant produces large pink to magenta petals 30 to 60 millimeters long, creating a vibrant display against the coastal landscape. Growing with decumbent stems that form dense clusters, it spreads low and wide across its habitat. Its leaves and stems create a soft, spreading mat with distinctive fusiform ovaries marked by eight distinct grooves, four of which are notably deeper. The plant's elegant, sprawling form and large, showy petals make it a striking component of coastal scrub ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; distinguished by very large petals and fusiform ovary with 8 grooves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open coastal scrub
Elevation: < 100 m
Bloom period
Clarkia amoena subsp. whitneyi blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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. whitneyi native to California?
Yes. Clarkia amoena subsp. whitneyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia amoena subsp. whitneyi bloom?
Clarkia amoena subsp. whitneyi blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Clarkia amoena subsp. whitneyi belong to?
Clarkia amoena subsp. whitneyi is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia amoena subsp. whitneyi rare or endangered?
Clarkia amoena subsp. whitneyi carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Clarkia amoena subsp. whitneyi grow in?
Clarkia amoena subsp. whitneyi grows in Open coastal scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.