Clarkia
(named after Captain Clarke, the companion of Capt. Lewis, in his journey to the Rocky Mountains of North America). ORD. Onagrarieae. Elegant slender branching annuals. Flowers axillary, sessile, solitary; petals four, cruciate, usually three-lobed, convolute in aestivation. Leaves alternate, lanceolate, or linear, entire. These charming flowers are very largely grown in gardens, on account of their extreme showiness and easy culture. Seeds may be sown in spring or autumn, out of doors. When the plants are in their flowering quarters, a distance of 9in. to 12in. apart should be allowed. C. elegans (elegant).* fl. of a rich lake colour; petals entire, without teeth or the claw. Summer. l. lanceolate, dentate. h. 2ft. California, 1832. (B. R. 1575.) There are many forms of this species, including white, rose, and double-flowered varieties, many of which are very desirable, and may be easily procured at any dealer's.
C. guaroides (Guara-like). A synonym of C. rhomboidea. C. pulchella (pretty).* fl. purple, large; petals deeply trilobed, with a pair of small opposite teeth on the claws. Summer. l. glabrescent, linear. h. 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. North America, 1826. This species also has many single and double-flowered varieties, more or less beautiful, which are fully described in seedsmen's catalogues.
C. rhomboidea (rhomboid) is a species with smaller purplish flowers than either of the preceding. SYN. C. guaroides. (S. B. F. G. 379.)