Clarkia speciosa subsp. nitens
Photo: parent species Clarkia speciosa · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Clarkia speciosa subsp. nitens is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by dense inflorescence and bright purple-red petal spots.
Showy clarkia is a California native annual found in the central Sierra Nevada Foothills and eastern San Joaquin Valley in foothill woodland at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces lavender petals that shade to pale yellow with a distinctive bright purple-red spot near the center of each flower. Growing with erect stems and dense inflorescences, it reaches modest height in open woodland settings. Its leaves are delicate and lanceolate, complementing the flower's elegant color gradation. The plant's vibrant, two-toned petals create a striking visual display against the dry foothill landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; key features are dense inflorescence and bright purple-red petal spots
Habitat and range
Habitat: Foothill woodland
Elevation: < 700 m
Bloom period
Clarkia speciosa subsp. nitens blooms May-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 speciosa subsp. nitens native to California?
Yes. Clarkia speciosa subsp. nitens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia speciosa subsp. nitens bloom?
Clarkia speciosa subsp. nitens blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Clarkia speciosa subsp. nitens belong to?
Clarkia speciosa subsp. nitens is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
What habitat does Clarkia speciosa subsp. nitens grow in?
Clarkia speciosa subsp. nitens grows in Foothill woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.