Scientific Family
Onagraceae
Other common names
clarkia
winecup fairyfan
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
To 3 feet
Riparian
Yes
Small cup-like flowers on erect reddish stem with few leaves.
Stem generally erect; leaves generally linear to lance-shaped, tapering to a point. Stigma not exserted beyond anthers; petals generally less than 1/2 inch. These plants are highly variable.
Habitat
Open areas, near moist areas, grassy or shrubby places.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
100
High elevation
4500
Flower Characteristics
Fan-shaped with 4 petals, less than 1 inch long. Shades of pink, purple or magenta; often with streaks of pink or red in the middle.
Flower color
Pink, purple, wine-red
Flower shape
Other
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Erect, reddish stem. Few lance-shaped leaves; hairless to densely covered with short, soft hairs.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The fruits are hairy, short-beaked, ribbed capsules, up to 1-1/4 inches in length, and are rounded or angled in cross-section.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Seeds are brown
Mature seeds are brown.