| Clarkia unguiculata | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Onagraceae |
| Genus: | Clarkia |
| Species: | C. unguiculata |
| Binomial name | |
| Clarkia unguiculata | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
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Clarkia unguiculata is a species of wildflower known by the common name elegant clarkia or mountain garland. [3] The plant was named after Captain William Clark who was part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This plant is endemic to California, where it is found in many woodland habitats. [4] It grows along the coastal ranges of Mendocino and San Diego. Clarkia unguiculata can also be found in the Sierran foothills. Specifically, it is common on the forest floor of many oak woodlands, along with typical understory wildflowers that include Calochortus luteus , Cynoglossum grande and Delphinium variegatum . [5] It flowers in the summer and fall and thrives in somewhat neutral soil pH. Commonly found on open slopes or slightly shaded areas. [6] These slopes are below 5000 feet and have dry conditions, where the plant thrives. [7]
C. unguiculata presents a spindly, hairless, waxy stem with a red hue. The species can grow up to 3 ft (0.9 m) tall with a small number of leaves populating the stem. [9] The showy flowers have hairy, fused sepals forming a cup beneath the corolla, and four petals each one to 2.5 cm (1.0 in) long. [10] The paddle-like petals come in shades of pink to reddish to purple and are slender and diamond-shaped or triangular in a raceme formation, in which each flower is connected to the main stalk by a pedicel, a short stem extension. [9] There are eight long stamens, the outer four of which have large red anthers. The stigma protrudes from the flower and can be quite large. Its pistil is a long white structure, this combined with the red stamens allow this flower to be easily identifiable. [11] The base of the stem has the leaves arranged in an opposite formation, however further up the stem the leaf arrangement becomes alternate. Produces a small indehiscent fruit, similar to a nut which hold the many little seeds. [12]
Clarkia unguiculata is a simple species as it interacts mainly with its pollinators, these being a variety of bees, butterflies and some bats. [9] The main pollinator is the Hesperapis regularis , a native species of bees found in similar environments to C. unguiculata. [13] This plant has the ability to self-pollinate. [14] The ability to self-pollinate means the species is not heavily reliant on the presence of pollinators like bees or butterflies. Despite having a mutualistic relationship with other species, this flower can persevere by itself if certain conditions are met.
This species can be cultivated in local gardens, requiring dry air and dry soil for it to bloom. [15] It can be grown in any soil condition; sand, loamy or clay soils as long as the plant remains in dry conditions. As a hermaphrodite species, being pollinated by pollinators is very easy and requires less energy from the plant. The species can not be grown in shaded areas, it must be exposed to the sun for majority of the day as it does not do well in cold conditions. If grown correctly, the seed will germinate within 2 weeks and bloom late summer and early fall. [16] Although not typically eaten, some parts of the plant is edible, specifically the seed. The seed can be eaten raw or cooked and grounded into a fine powder. [17]
Polemonium reptans is a perennial herbaceous plant native to eastern North America. Common names include spreading Jacob's ladder, creeping Jacob's ladder, false Jacob's ladder, abscess root, American Greek valerian, blue bells, stairway to heaven, and sweatroot.
Primula sect. Dodecatheon is a section of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. Primula species in this section were formerly placed in a separate genus, Dodecatheon. The species have basal clumps of leaves and nodding flowers that are produced at the top of tall stems rising from where the leaves join the crown. The genus is largely confined to North America and part of northeastern Siberia. Common names include shooting star, American cowslip, mosquito bills, mad violets, and sailor caps. A few species are grown in gardens for their showy and unique flower display.
Aesculus flava, also known commonly as the common buckeye, the sweet buckeye, and the yellow buckeye, is a species of deciduous tree in the subfamily Hippocastanoideae of the family Sapindaceae. The species is native to the Ohio Valley and Appalachian Mountains of the Eastern United States. It grows in mesophytic forest or floodplains, generally in acid to circumneutral soil, reaching a height of 20m to 48m.
Clarkia is a genus within the flowering plant family Onagraceae. Over 40 species are currently classified in Clarkia; almost all are native to western North America, though one species is native to South America.
Xerophyllum tenax is a North American species of plants in the corn lily family. It is known by several common names, including bear grass, soap grass, quip-quip, and Indian basket grass. The name "beargrass" is thought to come from its connection to both the plant's habitat and its relationship with bears. Found in the same forested and meadowed areas where bears are commonly present, beargrass thrives in environments such as the Pacific Northwest, California, and parts of the Rocky Mountains. Bears are known to feed on the softer leaf bases of the plant, which may have influenced its name. In addition to this ecological connection, beargrass is a tough, resilient plant, which could also explain its association with bears, creatures often symbolizing strength and endurance. The plant’s long, fibrous leaves are highly valued by Native Americans, who use them to weave baskets, jewelry, and other items. While it is a common myth that beargrass blooms every seven years, the plant typically blooms at irregular intervals, depending on environmental factors such as moisture and temperature. Beargrass can grow to be a little over 4 feet tall when in a preferred habitat and ideal conditions such as ample sunlight.
Paeonia brownii is a low to medium height, herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Paeoniaceae. It has compound, steely-gray, somewhat fleshy leaves and small drooping maroon flowers. Its vernacular name is Brown's peony, native peony or western peony. It is native to the western United States and usually grows at altitude, often as undergrowth in part-shade. The fleshy roots store food to carry the plant through the dry summers and produce new leaves and flowers the following spring.
Nemophila maculata, commonly known as fivespot, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family (Boraginaceae).
Allium validum is a species of flowering plant commonly called swamp onion, wild onion, Pacific onion, or Pacific mountain onion. It is native to the Cascade Range, the Sierra Nevada, the Rocky Mountains, and other high-elevation regions in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho and British Columbia. It is a perennial herb and grows in swampy meadows at medium and high elevations.
Calochortus nuttallii, also known as the sego lily, is a bulbous perennial plant that is endemic to the Western United States. The common name of sego comes from a similar Shoshone word. It is the state flower of Utah.
Vanilla planifolia is a species of vanilla orchid native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Brazil. It is one of the primary sources for vanilla flavouring, due to its high vanillin content. Common names include flat-leaved vanilla, and West Indian vanilla. Often, it is simply referred to as vanilla. It was first scientifically named in 1808. With the species' population in decline and its habitats being converted to other purposes, the IUCN has assessed Vanilla planifolia as Endangered.
Astragalus canadensis is a common and widespread member of the milkvetch genus in the legume family, known commonly as Canadian milkvetch. The plant is found throughout Canada and the United States in many habitats including wetlands, woodlands, and prairies.
Carduus crispus, the curly plumeless thistle or welted thistle, is a biennial herb in the daisy family Asteraceae. It is native to Eurasia and has been naturalized in North America and India.
Castilleja angustifolia is a species of wildflower known by the common names northwestern Indian paintbrush and desert Indian paintbrush. It is an herbaceous perennial native to the desert, scrublands, and woodlands of western North America. It grows in hot sandy soils and rock crevices in dry conditions.
Clarkia purpurea is a species of wildflower known by the common names winecup clarkia, winecup fairyfan, and purple clarkia.
Condea emoryi, the desert lavender, is a large, multi-stemmed shrub species of flowering plant in Lamiaceae, the mint family.
Geranium carolinianum is a species of geranium known by the common name Carolina crane's-bill, or Carolina geranium. This species is native to North America, where it is widespread and grows in many types of habitat. There are two varieties; Geranium carolinianum var. carolinianum and the Geranium carolinianum var. sphaerospermum. This is a summer or winter annual herb. It can be considered invasive depending on the region, when it is found in the United States it is considered to be native.
Calochortus amabilis is a species of the genus Calochortus in the family Liliaceae. It is also known by the common names Diogenes' lantern, yellow globe-tulip, golden globe-tulip, yellow globe lily, golden fairy lantern, golden lily-bell, Chinese lantern, and short lily.
Calochortus elegans is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common name elegant Mariposa lily, cat's ear, elegant cat's ears or star tulip. It is native to the western United States from northern California to Montana.
Mentzelia multiflora, commonly known as Adonis blazingstar, Adonis stickleaf, desert blazingstar, prairie stickleaf and manyflowered mentzelia is a herbaceous perennial wildflower of the family Loasaceae.
Anisomeles malabarica, more commonly known as the Malabar catmint, is a species of herbaceous shrub in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of India, and Sri Lanka, but can also be found in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bismarck Archipelago, Mauritius, Andaman Islands and Réunion.
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