Clarkia borealis
Northern clarkia
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Clarkia borealis (Northern clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by ovate leaves, triangular petals, and blue-gray pollen.
Northern clarkia is a California native annual found in open woodlands and meadows at moderate elevations. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces lavender-pink flowers with dark flecks, often 13 to 19 millimeters long with triangular to semicircular petals. Growing with erect stems less than one meter tall and covered in fine soft hairs, it has delicate elliptic to ovate leaves 2 to 5 centimeters long with petioles 1.5 to 5 centimeters in length. Its distinctive flowers feature eight stamens with blue-gray pollen and petals with two-lobed claws, creating an intricate and delicate appearance. The plant's flower buds are uniquely pendent and fusiform, with acute tips that curve at the end of the flowering axis.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; key features are ovate leaves, triangular petals, and blue-gray pollen
Habitat and range
California counties: Shasta, Tehama, Trinity
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 borealis native to California?
Yes. Clarkia borealis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Clarkia borealis grow?
Clarkia borealis occurs in Shasta, Tehama, Trinity.
What plant family does Clarkia borealis belong to?
Clarkia borealis is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
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.