Elegant Clarkia Seeds (Clarkia unguiculata)

This vibrant annual California endemic is adaptable to most low elevation growing conditions along the West Coast – and is one of the most shade-tolerant clarkia species.

Occurring plentifully beneath oak overstories in the Sierra Nevada and coastal foothills (from sea level up to about 5,000 feet in elevation), elegant clarkia is closely adapted to the typical West Coast climate of wet winters and dry summers. And while it is a shade-tolerant species, it is also very capable of growing in open sunny meadows. (It does not however compete well with larger, aggressive grasses).

The blossoms of elegant clarkia feature very, very showy and interesting magenta-coloured, paddle-shaped petals that arise upon stems up to about 3-feet in height. Central to the flowers are notably long, red anthers that twist and curve a bit like botanical octopus tentacles. The stems of this wildflower also exhibit an interesting leaf arrangement, varying between alternate and opposite leaf placement (even on the same individual plant). 

This is a caterpillar host for the very showy mariposa forester moth (Alypia mariposa), a black and white tiger-striped species that one might initially perceive as a dazzling butterfly, and a pollen plant host for the oligolectic melittid clarkia bee (Hesperapis regularis).

While elegant clarkia is easy grow, it is best direct sown in fall in very mild climates, but where winters are severe and unpredictable, spring seeding is probably better.

Like many clarkia species, this plant is prone to natural color variations (roughly from white to purple) as well as occasional interesting mutations. Very showy, and suitable for prominent garden display.

500+ seeds (0.6 grams).