Ruby Chalice Clarkia

Ruby Chalice Clarkia is an upright annual wildflower with gorgeous, poppy-like blooms. The green to red stems, growing up to 20 inches in height, are dotted by narrow, lance-shaped leaves. When not in bloom, the plant is inconspicuous. The pale pink to lavender colored flowers grow from the top of the stalks and the leaf junctions. The four-petalled blossoms form a cup shape around the pollen-laden filaments. Sometimes, the bases of the flower petals are dyed a bright red. The fruit capsule is elongated and four ribbed.

Basic Information

• Member of the Onagraceae, or evening primrose, family

• Annual herb

• Similar in appearance to Clarkia amoena, which shares the common name farewell to spring

Habitat

• Native to the coast of central California

  • Endemic to California

• Found in grassy open areas, woodlands, forests, and coastal chaparral habitats

Ecological Role

• Primarily pollinated by insects, but most species of Clarkia can self-fertilization

Reproduction

• Blooms in from May to July

Alternative Names

• Farewell To Spring

Historical Uses

• Native Americans had several uses for Clarkia species

  • The seeds were ground into a mixed seed flour, known as pinole, which was used for baked cakes

  • A decoction of the leaves were used as a was for sore eyes