Clarkia bottae

Clarkia bottae is a species of annual wildflower in the Onagraceae (Primrose) family. It is know by several common names, including punchbowl godetia, Botta’s Clarkia, Botta’s Fairyfan, and Hill Clarkia. Other Clarkias are known as Farewell-to-Spring, and some sources may apply that name to this species as well. This plant is endemic to the coastal plains, foothills and mountains, usually below 3,000 ft., from Santa Clara County to San Diego County, where it is a member of several plant communities. It produces spindly, waxy stems which may approach a meter in height but more often less, and sparse narrow leaves. The flower is a bowl shaped bloom with lavender or pinkish-purple petals, often lighter in color toward the base and speckled with red, each 1 to 3 centimeters long. The stigma protrudes from the corolla and is surrounded by shorter stamens. It is readily grown from seed and reliably re-seeds as long as it is not crowded out.