Clarkia gracilis subsp. tracyi
Tracy's clarkia, Tracy's Clarkia
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Clarkia gracilis subsp. tracyi (Tracy's clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by serpentine habitat and exserted stigma.
Tracy's clarkia is a California native annual found in the northern California Coast Ranges in serpentine soils at elevations of 100 to 500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces pink-lavender flowers with a distinctive red base, petals measuring 20 to 30 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems reaching up to 30 to 50 centimeters tall, it has a graceful, upright habit typical of clarkia species. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, arranged alternately along the stem, providing a soft green backdrop to the vibrant flowers. The plant's unique adaptation to serpentine soils makes it a specialized and intriguing member of California's native flora.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; serpentine habitat and exserted stigma help distinguish
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally serpentine soil
Elevation: 100-500 m
California counties: Humboldt, Napa, Lake, Colusa, Tehama, Mendocino
Bloom period
Clarkia gracilis subsp. tracyi blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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. tracyi native to California?
Yes. Clarkia gracilis subsp. tracyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia gracilis subsp. tracyi bloom?
Clarkia gracilis subsp. tracyi blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Clarkia gracilis subsp. tracyi grow?
Clarkia gracilis subsp. tracyi occurs in Humboldt, Napa, Lake, Colusa, Tehama, Mendocino, at elevations of 100-500 m.
What plant family does Clarkia gracilis subsp. tracyi belong to?
Clarkia gracilis subsp. tracyi is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia gracilis subsp. tracyi rare or endangered?
Clarkia gracilis subsp. tracyi carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, 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.