About Clarkia gracilis (Piper) A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr.
Clarkia gracilis (Piper) A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr. is a species of wildflower with the common name slender clarkia. This species is native to the U.S. states of California, Oregon, and Washington, where it grows in coastal, foothill, valley, and low-elevation mountain habitats. The species shows variation across its recognized subspecies, but individuals generally grow an erect, slender stem that holds a few sparse, narrow leaves several centimeters in length. The plant produces an inflorescence made up of drooping buds, which open into bowl-shaped flowers. The flowers have pinkish lavender petals 1 to 4 centimeters long, and each petal bears a red or white splotch; the position of this splotch (either in the center or at the base of the petal) varies by subspecies. Four subspecies are currently recognized: C. g. ssp. albicaulis, common name white-stemmed clarkia, an uncommon subspecies found only in Butte County, California; C. g. ssp. gracilis, a more common subspecies; C. g. ssp. sonomensis, common name Sonoma clarkia, found in northern California and southern Oregon; and C. g. ssp. tracyi, common name Tracy's clarkia, limited to the inland Northern Coast Ranges of California.
