Clarkia purpurea is a species of wildflower known by the common names winecup fairyfan or purple clarkia. This annual plant is native to western North America, including Baja California, California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, where it is found in a diverse variety of habitats. In California it is found in all the zones, except the deserts, from the coasts to high interior mountains, including the Sierra Nevada. Its bowl-shaped flowers have four petals, usually one to two centimeters long. They come in shades of pink, purple, or deep wine red; often with a streak or spot of pink or red in the middle.
A few fun facts about this native: the Indigenous peoples of California sowed this plant, to later harvest the seeds to grind up for food and the conspicuous flowers support native bees, making it a "honey plant"! They are truly very sweet, delicate little beauties.
