Clarkia speciosa subsp. polyantha
red spot clarkia
Photo: parent species Clarkia speciosa · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Clarkia speciosa subsp. polyantha (red spot clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by many-flowered branches and consistent purple-red petal spots.
Red spot clarkia is a California native annual herb found in the southern Sierra Nevada Foothills and Tehachapi region in foothill woodland at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces lavender to purple flowers with distinctive red-purple spots near the center of each delicate petal. Growing with erect stems and few branches on well-developed plants, it reaches heights typical of annual wildflowers. Its leaves are slender and linear to narrowly lanceolate, arranged along the stem with minimal width. The open flower clusters showcase petals that gradually lighten in color from deep purple to a softer lavender toward their base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; key features are many-flowered branches and consistent purple-red petal spots
Habitat and range
Habitat: Foothill woodland
Elevation: < 700 m
California counties: Kern, Tulare, Fresno, Santa Barbara, Madera
Bloom period
Clarkia speciosa subsp. polyantha blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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. polyantha native to California?
Yes. Clarkia speciosa subsp. polyantha is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia speciosa subsp. polyantha bloom?
Clarkia speciosa subsp. polyantha blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Clarkia speciosa subsp. polyantha grow?
Clarkia speciosa subsp. polyantha occurs in Kern, Tulare, Fresno, Santa Barbara, Madera, at elevations of < 700 m.
What plant family does Clarkia speciosa subsp. polyantha belong to?
Clarkia speciosa subsp. polyantha is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia speciosa subsp. polyantha rare or endangered?
Clarkia speciosa subsp. polyantha carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.