Botta’s Clarkia
(Clarkia bottae)
Botta’s Clarkia (Clarkia bottae)
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George Williams
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
George Williams
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: George Williams | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: George Williams | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-06-06T10:17:14-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Clarkia bottae, commonly known as Botta’s Clarkia, is an annual herb that thrives in the chaparral, oak woodlands, and coastal sage scrub of California. It typically grows to a height of 3 feet (0.9 meters) and a width of 1 foot (0.3 meters). This plant is characterized by its spindly, waxy stems that can reach up to a meter in height, and its sparse, narrow leaves. During the spring, Botta’s Clarkia produces showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, and red, which are particularly attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Botta’s Clarkia is valued for its vibrant springtime blooms and its adaptability to low-water gardens, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and wildflower meadows in regions with a Mediterranean climate. It is often used in native plant gardens and restoration projects due to its ease of maintenance and ability to attract beneficial insects. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate a range of soil drainage conditions, from fast to slow. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry periods. There are no major disease issues, but it can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions. Botta’s Clarkia is not known for aggressive roots or significant pest problems.CC BY-SA 4.0
Botta’s Clarkia is valued for its vibrant springtime blooms and its adaptability to low-water gardens, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and wildflower meadows in regions with a Mediterranean climate. It is often used in native plant gardens and restoration projects due to its ease of maintenance and ability to attract beneficial insects. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate a range of soil drainage conditions, from fast to slow. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry periods. There are no major disease issues, but it can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions. Botta’s Clarkia is not known for aggressive roots or significant pest problems.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Width: 0.333-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention:
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Chaparral, oak woodlands, and coastal sage scrub in California
Other Names
Common Names: Punchbowl Godetia, Botta’s Fairyfan, Hill Clarkia, Punch-Bowl Godetia, Liten Atlasblomma
Scientific Names: , Clarkia bottae, Clarkia deflexa, Godetia bottae, Oenothera bottae, Godetia bottae var. usitata, Oenothera godetia, Godetia bottae var. deflexa, Godetia deflexa, Holostigma bottae
GBIF Accepted Name: Clarkia bottae (Spach) H. & Lewis