Clarkia speciosa subsp. nitens

Family: Onagraceae · Type: annual · Native

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.

Habitat: Foothill woodland

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: < 700 m

Bioregions: c&amps SNF, e SnJV.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.