Taxon Report

Clarkia tembloriensis Vasek ssp. calientensis (Vasek) Holsinger

Vasek's clarkia

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Taxon Summary

Clarkia tembloriensis ssp. calientensis, commonly known as Vasek's clarkia, is a annual herb in the Onagraceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Valley and foothill grassland, growing at elevations from 275 to 500 meters. Clarkia tembloriensis ssp. calientensis is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Clarkia tembloriensis Vasek ssp. calientensis (Vasek) Holsinger
Common Name:	Vasek's clarkia
Family:	Onagraceae
Element Code:	PDONA05141
USDA Plants Symbol:	CLTEC
Synonyms/Other Names:	Clarkia calientensis Vasek

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr	Apr
Elevation:	275-500 (900-1640)
General Habitats:	Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.1
Global Rank:	G3T1
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S; SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	6
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	1
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	3
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	2

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Kern (KRN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Bena (3511836), Edison (3511837)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	3
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	4	67 %
Non-native plant impacts	3	50%
Grazing	2	33%
Road/trail construction/maint.	1	16%

Notes



Known from only three occurrences near Caliente Creek. Threatened by grazing and non-native plants. Perhaps best treated as C. calientensis. See Systematic Botany 2:252-255 (1977) for original description and 10(2):155-165 (1985) for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 22 November 2025].