Clarkia lingulata is a rare species of wildflower known by the common name Merced clarkia. This plant is endemic to Mariposa County, California, where it is known from only two sites near the Merced River.
| Clarkia lingulata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Onagraceae |
| Genus: | Clarkia |
| Species: | C. lingulata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Clarkia lingulata | |
It is thought to have evolved very rapidly, outside the usual model of allopatric speciation, from its parental species Clarkia biloba.[1]
It is a state-listed endangered species in California.[2]
Description edit
Clarkia lingulata erects a spindly stem rarely exceeding 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) in height and bearing sparse narrow leaves.
The saucer-shaped flowers have four bright pink spoon-shaped petals 1 to 2 centimeters long and sometimes flecked with red. There are eight stamens with lavender anthers.
References edit
- ^ Gottlieb, L.D. (2004). "Rethinking classic examples of recent speciation in plants". New Phytologist. 161 (1): 71–82. doi:10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00922.x.
- ^ "CNPS—California Rare Plants Profile: Clarkia lingulata". Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
External links edit
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