

Mildred's Clarkia (subsp. lutescens) Clarkia mildrediae subsp. lutescens subspecies
Mildred's Clarkia (subsp. lutescens) is an annual wildflower native to the lower 48 states. A host for pollen-specialist native bees.
More about this plant
Clarkia mildrediae is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Mildred's clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the forests of the southernmost Cascade Range and northern Sierra Nevada. It is an erect annual herb often exceeding half a meter in height. The oval leaves grow up to 6 centimeters long and are borne on petioles of up to 4 centimeters. The inflorescence bears opening flowers and hanging, pointed flower buds. As the bud opens the sepals all separate instead of remaining fused as those of many other Clarkia species do. The triangular to semicircular petals are about 2 centimeters long and lavender to bright reddish-purple, sometimes with dark speckling. There are 8 stamens with anthers all alike, and a protruding stigma. Wikipedia →
Growing & care
USDA PLANTS · TRY- Hardiness
- ≥ zone 11 derived from its U.S. range
- Lifespan
- Annual
Wildlife & pollinators
How pollinator value is scored →❧ Caterpillar hosts ~3 caterpillar species
Clarkia supports ~3 caterpillar species.
Native butterfly & moth caterpillars are the base of the terrestrial food web — most songbirds rear their young almost entirely on them. As a host for native Lepidoptera this is a modest genus.
Recorded feeding on Clarkia in North America, including:
✦ Bees specialist-bee host
Specialist native bees depend on it.
Some native bees are pollen specialists (oligolectic) — they raise young only on pollen from particular plant genera. Clarkia is a recorded specialist-bee host, so losing it can mean losing the bee that relies on it.
Sources for this entry (12) Open & cited
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