Overview
Springville clarkia is a flowering plant that belongs to the evening-primrose family. The plant is contained to the Tule River Watershed in Tulare County, California. It was listed as threatened September 14, 1998.
The plant is threatened by:
- Direct mortality from road maintenance and mowing
- Climate change, drought and fires
- Loss and destruction of habitat due to residential development threaten the species
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Habitat
Springville clarkia is found in chaparral, oak woodlands and on road banks at elevations between 1,080 and 4,000 feet. All populations are found in the Tule River Watershed. Most of the plants are found near the North Fork and Middle Fork, which are two branches of the Tule River. The plant prefers sunny openings and soils containing granite rock.
Land on which the natural dominant plant forms are grasses and forbs.
A dense growth of trees and underbrush covering a large tract.
Physical Characteristics
Springville clarkia can grow 3 feet tall and has small, lavender-pink colored flowers that bloom from May to July.
Measurements
Leaves: 0.8 to 3.5 in (2 to 9 cm) long; 0.2-0.8 in (5 to 20 mm) wide
Springville clarkia can be distinguished from similar species by the lack of long hairs below the flowers, the dark purple spot at the base of the petals and the purple sepals, which are the outer parts of the flowers.
Life Cycle
Springville clarkia is an annual plant, so it completes its life cycle in one year. Lavender-pink flowers appear in May to July and usually have a dark purplish basal spot. Plants are pollinated primarily by bees through cross and self-pollination. Seeds begin to sprout in late November and continue sprouting into January.
Food
Timeline
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