Clarkia imbricata
Encyclopedia
Clarkia imbricata is a rare species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family
known by the common name Vine Hill clarkia. It is endemic to Sonoma County, California
, where it is known from only one remaining natural occurrence near Vine Hill
. A second natural population located on private land was extirpated
when the owners plowed up the soil crust
. The California Native Plant Society
has established a third population from cuttings and is tending it in a reserve. This is a federally listed endangered species
.
Vine Hill clarkia is an annual herb growing erect to about half a meter in maximum height. The leaves are lance-shaped and about 2 centimeters long. The inflorescence
is a dense array of open flowers and erect closed flower buds. The four sepal
s separate when the flower opens. The petals are fan-shaped with frilly edges, measuring 2 to 2.5 centimeters long. They are lavender with a wash of white near the base and a wedge of darker lavender above. There are 8 stamen
s with anthers of equal size, and a protruding stigma
.
Onagraceae
Onagraceae, also known as the Willowherb family or Evening Primrose family, are a family of flowering plants. The family includes about 640-650 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees in 20-24 genera...
known by the common name Vine Hill clarkia. It is endemic to Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, located on the northern coast of the U.S. state of California, is the largest and northernmost of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Its population at the 2010 census was 483,878. Its largest city and county seat is Santa Rosa....
, where it is known from only one remaining natural occurrence near Vine Hill
Vine Hill, California
Vine Hill is a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 3,761 at the 2010 census. It is located east of downtown Martinez.-Geography:...
. A second natural population located on private land was extirpated
Local extinction
Local extinction, also known as extirpation, is the condition of a species which ceases to exist in the chosen geographic area of study, though it still exists elsewhere...
when the owners plowed up the soil crust
Soil crust
A soil crust is a layer of soil whose particles cohere because of organic material including live organisms and what they produce.- External references :* by the USGS...
. The California Native Plant Society
California Native Plant Society
The California Native Plant Society is a California not-for-profit organization that seeks to increase understanding of California's native flora and to preserve that flora. Its "paramount purpose is to preserve wild plants".-History:...
has established a third population from cuttings and is tending it in a reserve. This is a federally listed endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
.
Vine Hill clarkia is an annual herb growing erect to about half a meter in maximum height. The leaves are lance-shaped and about 2 centimeters long. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
is a dense array of open flowers and erect closed flower buds. The four sepal
Sepal
A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms . Collectively the sepals form the calyx, which is the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. Usually green, sepals have the typical function of protecting the petals when the flower is in bud...
s separate when the flower opens. The petals are fan-shaped with frilly edges, measuring 2 to 2.5 centimeters long. They are lavender with a wash of white near the base and a wedge of darker lavender above. There are 8 stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s with anthers of equal size, and a protruding stigma
Gynoecium
Gynoecium is most commonly used as a collective term for all carpels in a flower. A carpel is the ovule and seed producing reproductive organ in flowering plants. Carpels are derived from ovule-bearing leaves which evolved to form a closed structure containing the ovules...
.