Clarkia speciosa subsp. speciosa
Photo: parent species Clarkia speciosa · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Clarkia speciosa subsp. speciosa is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by many few-flowered branches and color pattern.
Clarkia speciosa is a California native annual found in the southern Coast Ranges in woodland habitats at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces striking dark purple-red to lavender flowers with distinctive pale yellow or white bases, often featuring a red spot near the flower's center. Growing with decumbent to erect stems that develop multiple branches on well-developed plants, it creates an open and delicate appearance. Its leaves are linear to narrowly lanceolate, providing a slender, elongated profile to the plant. The flowers are few-flowered, creating an elegant and understated botanical display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; key features are many few-flowered branches and color pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Woodland
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Kern, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Ventura, San Benito, Tulare
Bloom period
Clarkia speciosa subsp. speciosa blooms May-Jul.
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. speciosa native to California?
Yes. Clarkia speciosa subsp. speciosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia speciosa subsp. speciosa bloom?
Clarkia speciosa subsp. speciosa blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Clarkia speciosa subsp. speciosa grow?
Clarkia speciosa subsp. speciosa occurs in Kern, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Ventura, San Benito, Tulare, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Clarkia speciosa subsp. speciosa belong to?
Clarkia speciosa subsp. speciosa is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
What habitat does Clarkia speciosa subsp. speciosa grow in?
Clarkia speciosa subsp. speciosa grows in Woodland.
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.