Inflorescences: axis recurved or erect; buds pendent or erect. Flowers: floral tube obconic or campanulate, 1–5(–7) mm; sepals reflexed together to 1 side (sometimes in pairs in C. epilobioides); petals lavender, pink purplish, or white, obovate or spatulate to fan-shaped, unlobed or rarely 2-lobed, tapering to claw; stamens 8, unequal, outer anthers darker pink or purple, inner shorter and pale pink or cream, rarely sterile (C. heterandra); ovary 4- or 8-grooved or ribbed, or smooth (C. heterandra). Capsules narrowly cylindrical or subfusiform, or rarely broadly subclavate (indehiscent, nutlike capsule in C. heterandra), 4 or 8-grooved or smooth; sessile or subsessile to long-pedicellate.

Distribution

California, nw Mexico.

Discussion

Species 15 (15 in the flora).

Section Phaeostoma is the largest section in Clarkia, with the 15 species classified in seven subsections. For the most part, these correspond with groups delineated originally by H. Lewis and M. E. Lewis (1955). Within the part of the genus with dimorphic stamens (8 in 2 dissimilar sets that vary in size and color), the species of sect. Phaeostoma have entire petals that taper to a distinct claw. Even though molecular support for sect. Phaeostoma is not strong (R. A. Levin et al. 2004), at this time it seems preferable to stress similarities and maintain this variable group in one section.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Clarkia subsect. Connubium, Clarkia subsect. Heterogaura, Clarkia subsect. Lautiflorae, Clarkia subsect. Micranthae, Clarkia subsect. Phaeostoma, Clarkia subsect. Prognatae, Clarkia subsect. Sympherica