Clarkia virgata
Encyclopedia
Clarkia virgata is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family
known by the common name Sierra clarkia. It is endemic to California
, where it is known from the forests and woodlands of the Sierra Nevada.
produces opening flowers below several clusters of closed, hanging flower buds. The sepal
s all separate as the petals bloom. Each petal is up to about 1.5 centimeters long and lavender and white, speckled with reddish or purple. It has a diamond shaped blade at the end of a lobed, narrow claw. There are 8 stamen
s each bearing a large anther with blue-gray pollen
.
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 Sierra clarkia. It is endemic to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where it is known from the forests and woodlands of the Sierra Nevada.
Description
This is an erect annual herb with oval-shaped leaves each a few centimeters long. The inflorescenceInflorescence
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...
produces opening flowers below several clusters of closed, hanging flower buds. The 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 all separate as the petals bloom. Each petal is up to about 1.5 centimeters long and lavender and white, speckled with reddish or purple. It has a diamond shaped blade at the end of a lobed, narrow claw. There are 8 stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s each bearing a large anther with blue-gray pollen
Pollen
Pollen is a fine to coarse powder containing the microgametophytes of seed plants, which produce the male gametes . Pollen grains have a hard coat that protects the sperm cells during the process of their movement from the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants or from the male cone to the...
.