Clarkia concinna subsp. automixa
Santa clara red ribbons, Santa Clara Red Ribbons
Photo: parent species Clarkia concinna · (c) Roger Raiche, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Clarkia concinna subsp. automixa (Santa clara red ribbons) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by prominent petal lobes separated by deep sinuses and stigma not exserted.
Santa clara red ribbons is a California native annual herb found in the San Francisco Bay Area in woodland habitats at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate pink to magenta flowers with prominent lobes and deep petal sinuses 10 to 20 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems to 60 centimeters tall, it forms an elegant upright structure with branching growth. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, providing a delicate green backdrop to the vibrant floral display. The flower sepals remain fused only near the tip, creating a distinctive closed calyx structure that adds to the plant's subtle botanical complexity.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; distinguished by prominent petal lobes separated by deep sinuses and stigma not exserted
Habitat and range
Habitat: Woodland
Elevation: < 1500 m
California counties: Alameda, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz
Bloom period
Clarkia concinna subsp. automixa blooms Apr-Jun.
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 concinna subsp. automixa native to California?
Yes. Clarkia concinna subsp. automixa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia concinna subsp. automixa bloom?
Clarkia concinna subsp. automixa blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Clarkia concinna subsp. automixa grow?
Clarkia concinna subsp. automixa occurs in Alameda, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, at elevations of < 1500 m.
What plant family does Clarkia concinna subsp. automixa belong to?
Clarkia concinna subsp. automixa is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia concinna subsp. automixa rare or endangered?
Clarkia concinna subsp. automixa carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.