Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Clarkia gracilis is a species of wildflower known by the common name slender clarkia. This plant is native to the US states of California, Oregon, and Washington, where it is found in coastal, foothill, valley, and low-elevation mountain habitats. The plant is variable across subspecies but is generally an erect slender stem with a few sparse, narrow leaves several centimeters long. It bears an flower cluster of drooping buds which open into bowl-shaped flowers with pinkish lavender petals 1 to 4 centimeters long and bearing a red or white splotch which can appear in the center or at the base of the petal, depending on the subspecies.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

2 - 3 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast

Calscape icon
Color

Purple, Pink, White, Lavender, Red

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Site type

Open dry places

Plant communities

Foothill Woodland, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 5 likely

Confirmed Likely

Aetole extraneella

Mariposa Forester

Alypia mariposa

Clark's Day Sphinx Moth

Proserpinus clarkiae