Tremblor Range Fairyfan, a closely related species
See photo info

Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office

Species Account

SPRINGVILLE CLARKIA
(Clarkia springvillensis)

CLASSIFICATION: Federal Threatened Species (Federal Register 63:49022 (pdf); September 14, 1998)

CRITICAL HABITAT: None designated

RECOVERY PLAN: Southern Sierran Foothills plants (under development).

DESCRIPTION:

Springville clarkia (Clarkia springvillensis) is an erect annual herb belonging to the evening-primrose family (Onagraceae). The plant can grow to 3 feet in height. It's stems are usually branched. The bright green leaves can grow to 3 inches long and 1 inch wide.

Lavender-pink flowers appear in May to July and have a characteristic purple spot at the base of the flower. Features on the outside of the flower that separate this clarkia from others growing near it include color and the absence of long hairs. See Hickman (1993) in General Information about California Plants, below, for a detailed description of the species.

DISTRIBUTION:

Springville clarkia is found on granitic soils in openings in the blue oak (Quercus douglasii) woodlands and on road banks. It can be found at elevations between 1,200 and 3,000 feet. All known populations are found in Tulare County. Most of the populations are found within a 43 square mile area. Another population is 16 miles northwest. Four are on lands administered by the Sequoia National Forest, three on private land, one on land owned by Tulare County and part of one on land owned by the California Department of Fish and Game.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Springville clarkia is variously threatened by urban development, heavy livestock grazing and roadway maintenance activities. Due to its few populations and low numbers, the species is vulnerable to extirpation from random events. 

Appropriate grazing regimes may benefit the species in some situations by reducing the abundance of nonnative plants and thereby lessening competitive pressure. However, intensive grazing has been identified as one of the greatest threats to the species.

Several populations are threatened by road maintenance activities such as grading and roadside mowing. Most of these populations are small and have become restricted to a narrow band near a road. 

This species was listed as endangered by the California Department of Fish and Game in September 1979. The California Native Plant Society has placed it on List 1B (rare or endangered throughout its range).

REFERENCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 1998. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Threatened Status for Four Plants From the Foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. Portland, Oregon.

General Information about California Plants

Photo credit: Tremblor Range Fairyfan by John Game © 1998 John Game Calphoto ID: 7271 3192 3248 0086

Prepared by Endangered Species Div., Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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