Clarkia biloba subsp. australis

Mariposa clarkia, Mariposa Clarkia

Family: Onagraceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Mariposa clarkia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada Foothills, specifically in the Merced River drainage, Tuolumne and Mariposa counties, in chaparral and woodland at elevations of 300 to 500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces bright pink to magenta flowers with distinctive petal lobes that span one-fifth to one-third of the petal length. Growing with slender stems up to 30 to 50 centimeters tall, it develops an upright, delicate form characteristic of annual wildflowers. Its leaves are narrow and linear to lance-shaped, providing a subtle green backdrop to the vibrant floral display. The flower petals are notably elongated, measuring more than 1.5 times their width and creating an elegant, elongated silhouette against the surrounding landscape.

Habitat: Chaparral, woodland

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: 300-500 m

Bioregions: c SNF (Merced River drainage, Tuolumne, Mariposa cos.).

California counties: Tuolumne, Mariposa, El Dorado, Calaveras, Amador

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.