Clarkia mosquinii
Mosquin's clarkia
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Clarkia mosquinii (Mosquin's clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by blue-gray pollen and very small seeds distinctive.
Mosquin's clarkia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in northern Sierra Nevada foothills in northeastern Butte County, occurring in dry, rocky places within foothill woodland at elevations of 180 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces lavender-purple flowers with red-purple spots, approximately 10 to 20 millimeters long in a distinctive rotate shape with diamond-shaped blades. Growing with erect stems less than one meter tall and covered in fine hairs, it develops delicate lance-linear to ovate leaves on petioles 1 to 3 centimeters long. Its leaves range from 2 to 5 centimeters in length, with a variable shape from lance-linear to ovate or elliptic. The plant's unique blue-gray pollen and eight stamens subtended by ciliate scales contribute to its distinctive botanical characteristics.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; blue-gray pollen and very small seeds distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky places, probably foothill woodland
Elevation: 180-1200 m
Bloom period
Clarkia mosquinii blooms Jun-Jul.
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 mosquinii native to California?
Yes. Clarkia mosquinii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia mosquinii bloom?
Clarkia mosquinii blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Clarkia mosquinii belong to?
Clarkia mosquinii is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia mosquinii rare or endangered?
Clarkia mosquinii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
What habitat does Clarkia mosquinii grow in?
Clarkia mosquinii grows in Dry, rocky places, probably foothill 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.