''Clarkia'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

within the

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...

family

Onagraceae The Onagraceae are a family of flowering plants known as the willowherb family or evening primrose family. They include about 650 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...

, though one species (''Clarkia tenella'') is native to

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a considerably smaller portion in the Northern Hemisphere. It can also be described as the southern Subregion#Americas, subregion o ...

. Clarkias are typically annual herbs, growing either prostrate or erect to a height of less than 2 metres. Their leaves are small and simple, from 1 to 10 cm in length depending on the species. Their flowers have four

sepal A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 Etymology The term ''sepalum'' ...

s and four

petal Petals are modified leaves that form an inner whorl surrounding the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often brightly coloured or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''corol ...

s, usually white, pink, or red, and are often spotted or streaked. Their fruit are elongated, cylindrical pods, usually 4-grooved or 8-grooved, and when mature they hold many tiny, cubical seeds. Several members of the genus are sometimes referred to by the common name "godetia", including ''Clarkia amoena'', '' Clarkia affinis'', and '' Clarkia lassenensis'' (the Lassen godetia). This is because they were formerly classified in a genus called ''Godetia'', which is no longer recognised since its members have been absorbed into the genus ''Clarkia''. Older sources may still use ''Godetia'' as a genus name. The genus was named in honour of the explorer Captain

William Clark William Clark (August 1, 1770 – September 1, 1838) was an American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor. A native of Virginia, he grew up in pre-statehood Kentucky before later settling in what became the state of Misso ...

. Unofficially, the genus is sometimes referred to as ''Yorkia'', in honor of

York York is a cathedral city in North Yorkshire, England, with Roman Britain, Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers River Ouse, Yorkshire, Ouse and River Foss, Foss. It has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a Yor ...

, an African-American member of the

Lewis and Clark Expedition The Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, was the United States expedition to cross the newly acquired western portion of the country after the Louisiana Purchase. The Corps of Discovery was a select gro ...

. The

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

had a warship called , a .

Cultivation

Some species are popular

garden A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the cultivation, display, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The single feature identifying even the wildest wild garden is ''control''. The garden can incorporate bot ...

plants, for example the ''

Clarkia unguiculata ''Clarkia unguiculata'' is a species of wildflower known by the common name elegant clarkia or mountain garland. Distribution and habitat This plant is Endemism, endemic to California, where it is found in many woodland habitats. It grows alon ...

'' (mountain garland), '' Clarkia speciosa'' (redspot clarkia), ''

Clarkia amoena ''Clarkia amoena'', commonly known as farewell to spring, godetia, or satin flower, is a species of flowering plant in the family ''Onagraceae''. It is native to western North America. It is found in coastal hills and mountains from British Colum ...

'' (farewell to spring) and ''

Clarkia bottae ''Clarkia bottae'' is a species of wildflower with several common names, including punchbowl godetia, Botta's clarkia, Botta's fairy fan, and hill clarkia. Description ''Clarkia bottae'' produces spindly, waxy stems which may approach a meter in ...

''. There are cultivated varieties of some of these species.

Ecology

''Clarkia'' species play important roles in their local ecosystems, as they provide habitat for native pollinators. Some pollinators even rely on ''Clarkia'' exclusively, such as the " clarkia bee". They are also used as host plants by some species as caterpillars, such as sphingid moths.

Species

Plants of the World Online Plants of the World Online (POWO) is an online taxonomic database published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. History Following the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew launched Plants of the World Online i ...

accepted the following species:

References

External links

* *
Jepson Manual treatment of the genus
{{Authority control Onagraceae genera Flora of the Americas Taxa named by Frederick Traugott Pursh