Clarkia jolonensis
Jolon clarkia
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Clarkia jolonensis (Jolon clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by glaucous stems and reflexed buds distinctive.
Jolon clarkia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in northern South Coast Ranges in Monterey County, growing in dry woodland at elevations around 500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pale lavender to pink-lavender flowers with red flecks, fan-shaped and 1 to 2 centimeters long, with distinctive red-flecked petals. Growing with erect glaucous stems less than 60 centimeters tall and completely smooth, it appears delicate and graceful. Its leaves are narrowly lanceolate, 3 to 5 centimeters long with petioles shorter than 5 millimeters, arranged along the slender stem. The seed produced is distinctively gray, complementing the plant's subtle coloration.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; glaucous stems and reflexed buds distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry woodland
Elevation: +- 500 m.
Bloom period
Clarkia jolonensis blooms Apr-Jun.
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 jolonensis native to California?
Yes. Clarkia jolonensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia jolonensis bloom?
Clarkia jolonensis blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Clarkia jolonensis belong to?
Clarkia jolonensis is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia jolonensis rare or endangered?
Clarkia jolonensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Clarkia jolonensis grow in?
Clarkia jolonensis grows in dry woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.