Clarkia rubicunda
Farewell to spring
(c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Clarkia rubicunda (Farewell to spring) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by large petals, bowl-shaped corolla, erect buds.
Farewell to spring is a California native annual found in coastal bioregions including Central Coast and San Francisco Bay Area in openings within woodland, forest, and chaparral at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this delicate plant produces rosy-pink to lavender flowers with a distinctive red spot or zone at the base, each petal 10 to 30 millimeters long and fan-shaped or obovate. Growing 10 to 150 centimeters tall with decumbent to erect stems that are softly puberulent, the plant has a graceful, open structure. Its leaves are lanceolate to elliptic, measuring 1 to 4 centimeters long with petioles less than 1 centimeter in length. The flower's unique bowl-shaped corolla and symmetrical arrangement of eight stamens make it a charming addition to coastal California landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 sympatric species; key features are large petals, bowl-shaped corolla, erect buds
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in woodland, forest, chaparral near coast
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Alameda, San Mateo, Marin, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Humboldt, Lake, San Benito, Sonoma
Bloom period
Clarkia rubicunda blooms May-Aug.
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 rubicunda native to California?
Yes. Clarkia rubicunda is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia rubicunda bloom?
Clarkia rubicunda blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Clarkia rubicunda grow?
Clarkia rubicunda occurs in Alameda, San Mateo, Marin, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Clarkia rubicunda belong to?
Clarkia rubicunda is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
What habitat does Clarkia rubicunda grow in?
Clarkia rubicunda grows in Openings in woodland, forest, chaparral near coast.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.