Clarkia lingulata
Merced clarkia
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Clarkia lingulata (Merced clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by rotate corolla with oblanceolate petals distinctive.
Merced clarkia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada Foothills in open chaparral on steep north-facing slopes of the Merced River Canyon, Mariposa County at elevations of 400 to 450 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces bright pink flowers with red flecks and lavender outer anthers in delicate rotate blossoms up to two centimeters long. Growing with erect stems less than six decimeters tall that are finely puberulent, it has an elegant upright structure. Its narrow leaves range from linear to lance-shaped, measuring two to six centimeters long with petioles less than 1.5 centimeters. Its distinctive flower buds are notably pendent, with recurved tips and sepals remaining fused in groups of four.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; rotate corolla with oblanceolate petals distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open chaparral, steep n-facing slopes
Elevation: 400-450 m
California counties: Mariposa, Merced
Bloom period
Clarkia lingulata blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 lingulata native to California?
Yes. Clarkia lingulata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia lingulata bloom?
Clarkia lingulata blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Clarkia lingulata grow?
Clarkia lingulata occurs in Mariposa, Merced, at elevations of 400-450 m.
What plant family does Clarkia lingulata belong to?
Clarkia lingulata is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia lingulata rare or endangered?
Clarkia lingulata 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.