Clarkia franciscana
Presidio clarkia
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Hilton · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Clarkia franciscana (Presidio clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by erect buds and wedge-shaped truncate petals distinctive.
Presidio clarkia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the Presidio of San Francisco and Oakland hills on serpentine soil at elevations around 50 meters. Flowering from May to June, this delicate plant produces lavender-pink flowers with white centers and red bases, featuring wedge-shaped petals 5 to 13 millimeters long in bowl-shaped blooms. Growing with erect stems less than 40 centimeters tall and covered in fine puberulent hairs, it has a slender, upright form. Its narrow lanceolate leaves measure 1 to 3.5 centimeters long, with petioles shorter than 5 millimeters. The plant's distinctive flowers have 8 uniform stamens and a 4-grooved ovary, creating an elegant silhouette against its serpentine habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 sympatric species; erect buds and wedge-shaped truncate petals distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine soil
Elevation: +- 50 m.
California counties: San Francisco, Alameda
Bloom period
Clarkia franciscana blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 franciscana native to California?
Yes. Clarkia franciscana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia franciscana bloom?
Clarkia franciscana blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Clarkia franciscana grow?
Clarkia franciscana occurs in San Francisco, Alameda, at elevations of +- 50 m..
What plant family does Clarkia franciscana belong to?
Clarkia franciscana is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia franciscana rare or endangered?
Clarkia franciscana carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.