Clarkia delicata
Delicate clarkia, Delicate Clarkia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Clarkia delicata (Delicate clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by glaucous stems and distinctive anther colors.
Delicate clarkia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Peninsular Ranges in San Diego County, inhabiting oak woodland and chaparral at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces rose-lavender to pale pink flowers with distinctive orange-red outer anthers, petals 8 to 12 millimeters long in a rotate arrangement. Growing with erect stems up to 70 centimeters tall, it has a glaucous upper stem that is generally puberulent near the base. Its leaves are lanceolate to elliptic, 1.5 to 4 centimeters long with petioles less than 1 centimeter. The flower buds are uniquely reflexed, creating an elegant architectural profile in its native habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key features are glaucous stems and distinctive anther colors
Habitat and range
Habitat: Oak woodland, chaparral
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Clarkia delicata blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 delicata native to California?
Yes. Clarkia delicata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia delicata bloom?
Clarkia delicata blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Clarkia delicata grow?
Clarkia delicata occurs in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Clarkia delicata belong to?
Clarkia delicata is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia delicata rare or endangered?
Clarkia delicata carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, 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.