Clarkia similis
Ramona clarkia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Clarkia similis (Ramona clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by pale pink petals with purple flecks, unequal anthers.
Ramona clarkia is a California native annual found in southern California coastal ranges and southwestern California in generally shady woodland and chaparral habitats at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this delicate plant produces pale pink flowers with purple flecks, shading lighter near the base, in a distinctive rotate to bowl-shaped configuration with petals 6 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems up to 90 centimeters tall and covered in fine puberulent hairs, it has a slender and graceful form. Its narrow leaves are lanceolate to elliptic, measuring 2 to 4 centimeters long with petioles less than 8 millimeters, arranged along the stem. The flower buds are notably pendent and recurved at the tip, creating an elegant silhouette in its woodland habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; key features are pale pink petals with purple flecks, unequal anthers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally shady sites, woodland, chaparral
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: San Diego, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Fresno, Kern, Ventura, Tehama
Bloom period
Clarkia similis blooms Apr-Jun.
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 similis native to California?
Yes. Clarkia similis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia similis bloom?
Clarkia similis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Clarkia similis grow?
Clarkia similis occurs in San Diego, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Clarkia similis belong to?
Clarkia similis is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
What habitat does Clarkia similis grow in?
Clarkia similis grows in Generally shady sites, woodland, chaparral.
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.