Tag Archives: Elegant Clarkia

Also known as Mountain Garland, Clarkia unguiculata is endemic to California, and in tribute to William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, one of many species that bears his name. Judging by its widespread distribution on the ranch this spring where I’ve never seen it before, I am assuming that it enjoys these dry times. Usually found on partially shaded road cuts, in soil that was disturbed years ago, it blooms on long stems 3-4′ feet high, generally in groups or colonies of a dozen plants or more. On a year where the diversity of wildflowers and the size of their blooms has been severely impacted, it’s good to see them flourishing. A wildflower that is easily overlooked until closer inspection.