Genus of flowering plants in the willowherb family Onagraceae
Clarkia is a genus within the flowering plant family Onagraceae. Over 40 species are currently classified in "Clarkia"; almost all are native to western North America, though one species ("Clarkia tenella") is native to South America.
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 sepals and four petals, 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. Unofficially, the genus is sometimes referred to as "Yorkia", in honor of York, an African-American member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
The Royal Navy had a warship called , a .
Cultivation.
Some species are popular garden plants, for example the mountain garland, "Clarkia unguiculata", the redspot clarkia, "Clarkia speciosa", Farewell to Spring, "Clarkia amoena" and "Clarkia bottae". 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 Sphingidae moths.
Species.
As of August 2023[ [update]], Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:
References.
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