Clarkia

Clarkia is a genus within the flowering plant family Onagraceae. Over 40 species are currently classified in Clarkia; almost all are native to western North America, though one species (C. tenella) is native to South America.

Clarkias are typically annual plants, growing to a height of less than 1.5 metres. Their leaves are small and simple, from 1 to 10 cm in length depending on the species. Their flowers have four sepals and four petals. Some species are popular garden plants, for example the Mountain Garland, C. unguiculata, the Redspot Clarkia, C. speciosa, and the Farewell to Spring, C. amoena. There are cultivated varieties of some of these species.

Several members of the species are sometimes referred to by the common name "Godetia", including C. amoena, C. affinis, and C. lassenensis (the Lassen Godetia). This is because they were formerly classified in a genus called Godetia, which is no longer recognised since its members have been absorbed into the Clarkia genus. Older sources may still Godetia as a genus name.

The genus was named in honour of the explorer Captain William Clark.