Clarkia tembloriensis subsp. calientensis
Vasek's clarkia, Vasek's Clarkia
Photo: parent species Clarkia tembloriensis · (c) paulexcoff, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Clarkia tembloriensis subsp. calientensis (Vasek's clarkia) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by broader petals and stigma position relative to anthers.
Vasek's clarkia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the southern Sierra Nevada Foothills in the Caliente Hills of Kern County in grassland habitats at an elevation of approximately 500 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces delicate petals approximately 10 millimeters wide with stigmas nestled among its anthers. Growing with slender, upright stems typical of annual wildflowers, it develops quickly in its seasonal grassland environment. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, characteristic of clarkia species and adapted to the dry grassland ecosystem. The plant completes its annual life cycle in the late spring, producing seeds that will potentially germinate in the following growing season.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; key features are broader petals and stigma position relative to anthers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland
Elevation: +- 500 m.
California counties: Kern
Bloom period
Clarkia tembloriensis subsp. calientensis blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 tembloriensis subsp. calientensis native to California?
Yes. Clarkia tembloriensis subsp. calientensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Clarkia tembloriensis subsp. calientensis bloom?
Clarkia tembloriensis subsp. calientensis blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Clarkia tembloriensis subsp. calientensis grow?
Clarkia tembloriensis subsp. calientensis occurs in Kern, at elevations of +- 500 m..
What plant family does Clarkia tembloriensis subsp. calientensis belong to?
Clarkia tembloriensis subsp. calientensis is in the Onagraceae family, genus Clarkia.
Is Clarkia tembloriensis subsp. calientensis rare or endangered?
Clarkia tembloriensis subsp. calientensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · 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.