Clarkia epilobioides – Canyon Clarkia

Clarkia epilobioides - Canyon Clarkia, Willow-herb Clarkia

Clarkia epilobioides - Canyon Clarkia, Willow-herb Clarkia

Plant Name

Scientific Name: Clarkia epilobioides

Synonym: Godetia epilobioides

Common Names: Canyon Clarkia, Willow-herb Clarkia

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual

Growth Habit: Herb/Forb

Arizona Native Status: Native

Habitat: Desert, Upland. It grows in moist, shady canyons and is usually found on the least sunny side of the canyon.

Flower Color: White or pale cream fading to pink

Flowering Season: Spring

Height: To 2 feet (61 cm) tall

Description: The flowers turn pink as they age and have drooping flower buds, 4 egg-shaped petals, and 4 sepals that are often red in color. The flowers are followed by long, slender seed capsules. The leaves are green, alternate, and linear, narrowly lanceolate, or narrowly oblanceolate.

Classification

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Myrtales
Family: Onagraceae – Evening Primrose family
Genus: Clarkia Pursh – clarkia
Species: Clarkia epilobioides (Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray) A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. – canyon clarkia

More About This Plant

Arizona County Distribution Map