Clarkia gracilis subsp. albicaulis
White-stemmed clarkia, White-Stemmed Clarkia
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Clarkia gracilis subsp. albicaulis (White-stemmed clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by large petals and exserted stigma distinctive.
White-stemmed clarkia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern California Ranges and Foothills in Butte County's foothill woodland at elevations around 500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pink-lavender to light purple flowers with white centers and red bases, petals generally 30 to 40 millimeters long. Growing with delicate stems that are notably white, this slender annual reaches heights typical of its genus. Its leaves are likely narrow and sparse, supporting the plant's elegant structure. With only 3 to 4 small known populations, this distinctive clarkia represents a rare and localized botanical treasure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; large petals and exserted stigma distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Foothill woodland (known only from 3--4 small populations)
Elevation: +- 500 m.
California counties: Butte, Lake, Colusa, Napa, Tuolumne, Tehama, Shasta, Solano, Mariposa, Modoc, Lassen
Bloom period
Clarkia gracilis subsp. albicaulis blooms May-Jul.
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 gracilis subsp. albicaulis native to California?
Yes. Clarkia gracilis subsp. albicaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia gracilis subsp. albicaulis bloom?
Clarkia gracilis subsp. albicaulis blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Clarkia gracilis subsp. albicaulis grow?
Clarkia gracilis subsp. albicaulis occurs in Butte, Lake, Colusa, Napa, Tuolumne, Tehama, Shasta, Solano and other counties, at elevations of +- 500 m..
What plant family does Clarkia gracilis subsp. albicaulis belong to?
Clarkia gracilis subsp. albicaulis is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia gracilis subsp. albicaulis rare or endangered?
Clarkia gracilis subsp. albicaulis 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.