Clarkia stellata
Lake almanor clarkia
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Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Clarkia stellata (Lake almanor clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by conifer forest habitat, unspotted petals, yellow pollen.
Lake almanor clarkia is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California High Sierra, and northern Sierra Nevada in conifer forest at elevations of 1,000 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from June to July, this delicate plant produces lavender-purple flowers with broad petals 6 to 8 millimeters long in a distinctive pendent arrangement. Growing with erect stems less than one meter tall and covered in fine soft hairs, it has an elegant upright structure. Its leaves are elliptic to ovate, with petioles 5 to 30 millimeters long and blades 1 to 5 centimeters in length. The flower's unique features include eight stamens subtended by ciliate scales and yellow pollen, creating a charming botanical display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; key features are conifer forest habitat, unspotted petals, yellow pollen
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Conifer forest
Elevation: 1000-1500 m
Bloom period
Clarkia stellata blooms Jun-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 stellata native to California?
Yes. Clarkia stellata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia stellata bloom?
Clarkia stellata blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Clarkia stellata belong to?
Clarkia stellata is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
What habitat does Clarkia stellata grow in?
Clarkia stellata grows in Uncommon. Conifer forest.
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.