Clarkia borealis subsp. borealis
Northern clarkia, Northern Clarkia
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Clarkia borealis subsp. borealis (Northern clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by smaller seeds (1.5-1.8 mm) and Klamath Ranges distribution.
Northern clarkia is a native annual herb found in the eastern Trinity and western Shasta counties in the Klamath Ranges, inhabiting foothill woodland and forest margins at elevations of 400 to 800 meters. Flowering from June to July, this delicate plant produces small, pale pink to lavender flowers with distinctive four-petaled blossoms. Growing with slender, upright stems up to 30 to 40 centimeters tall, it has an elegant, branching habit typical of its genus. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, alternating along the stem with a soft, slightly fuzzy texture. The fruit produces small seeds approximately 1.5 to 1.8 millimeters long, characteristic of its delicate annual lifecycle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinguished by smaller seeds (1.5-1.8 mm) and Klamath Ranges distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Foothill woodland, forest margin
Elevation: 400-800 m
Bloom period
Clarkia borealis subsp. borealis blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 subsp. borealis native to California?
Yes. Clarkia borealis subsp. borealis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia borealis subsp. borealis bloom?
Clarkia borealis subsp. borealis blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Clarkia borealis subsp. borealis belong to?
Clarkia borealis subsp. borealis is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia borealis subsp. borealis rare or endangered?
Clarkia borealis subsp. borealis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Clarkia borealis subsp. borealis grow in?
Clarkia borealis subsp. borealis grows in Foothill woodland, forest margin.
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.