Habitat and Range
The entire Clarkia genus thrives in the foothills. Farewell-to-Spring favors dry soils and open slopes below 5000 ft. Signalling the end of spring, it blooms from June to July.
Physical Description
Clarkia spp grow to about 2-3 ft tall and have short, linear to lanceolate leaves no longer than 2.5 inches that grow alternate on the stem. Farewell-to-Spring is easy to find when in bloom because it stands out well with its bright pink flowers and obvious darker spots. The flower has 4 fan-shaped petals that form a bowl shape. The genus is distinguished from its Onagraceae relatives by its 4-lobed stigma and anthers that attach at the base of the perianth. Farewell-to-Spring has hairy stigma lobes and 8 stamens attached to the perianth base.
Food Uses
The seeds of this annual plant are 1 mm "blocks" lined up in vertical rows and encased in a dehiscent (shedding) fruit sac. This fruit casing is ribbed and is less than a half-inch long. They are edible in most species but should be consumed in moderation until you have found them tolerable. The seeds of Farewell-to-Spring lack a distinct flavor.
Medicinal Uses
None known at this time.
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