Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens
Golden-anthered clarkia, Golden-Anthered Clarkia
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Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens (Golden-anthered clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by yellow to orange-red anthers with bright yellow pollen distinctive.
Golden-anthered clarkia is a California native annual found in northern Sierra Nevada (Feather River drainage, southeast of the subspecies) in yellow-pine forest at elevations of 450 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces petals with blades 7 to 16 millimeters wide, featuring distinctive yellow to orange-red anthers with bright yellow pollen. Growing with delicate, slender stems typical of annual wildflowers, it develops an upright, branching form. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, complementing the plant's graceful structure. The flowers showcase a striking color contrast with their wide petals and vibrant yellow anthers, making this clarkia a charming woodland wildflower.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; yellow to orange-red anthers with bright yellow pollen distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Yellow-pine forest
Elevation: 450-1700 m
Bloom period
Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens blooms Jun-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 mildrediae subsp. lutescens native to California?
Yes. Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens bloom?
Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens belong to?
Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens rare or endangered?
Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens grow in?
Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens grows in Yellow-pine forest.
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.