Plant

Ragged Robin

Clarkia pulchella
Plant Near Kamiah, along the Clearwater River, Idaho County, Idaho New to Western Science
Ragged Robin

Photo: Dinkum, CC BY-SA 3.0

Common Names
A Singular Plant in Blume
Habitat
Steep, fertile hillsides and open grasslands
First Observed
1806-06-01
Observed At
Near Kamiah, along the Clearwater River, Idaho County, Idaho

On June 1, 1806, Lewis “met with a singular plant today in blume” and collected it on the steep, fertile hills northeast of Kamiah, Idaho. Frederick Pursh named the entire genus Clarkia in honor of William Clark — just as the genus Lewisia honors Meriwether Lewis. The species name “pulchella” means “beautiful.” Also known as pinkfairies and deerhorn clarkia, this delicate wildflower represents one of the expedition’s most enduring botanical legacies.

Journal Excerpt

Lewis, June 1, 1806: "I met with a singular plant today in blume, of which I preserved a specimne; it grows on the steep sides of the fertile hills near this place."

Recent sightings

Where it’s being seen today

1 research-grade iNaturalist observation between 2019–2019. Most recent: 2019-07-14. Sourced from Terrain360 trail captures, cached locally.

iNaturalist observation 2019-07-14 2019-07-14

Journal References

11 journal entries mention Ragged Robin

Oct 18 1804
Clark: October 18, 1804
...erogue Desending from hunting, & complained of the Mandans robing them of 4 Traps ther fur & Seeveral othr articles Those men were in the imploy of our Ricaree in...
Aug 22 1805
Clark: August 22, 1805
...every other part of a light brown, and about the Size of a robin. Some fiew Pine Scattered in the bottoms & Sides of the Mountains (the Top of the Motn. to the lef...
Aug 22 1805
Lewis: August 22, 1805
...ery other part of a dark brown. it was about the size of a robin-
Aug 24 1805
Lewis: August 24, 1805
...en to be successfull either in destroying their enemies or robing them of their horses, or individually stealing the horses of an enemy. these are considered acts ...
Jan 31 1806
Clark: January 31, 1806
...imes. this berd is about the Size as near as may be of the robin. it's contour is also presisely the Same with that bird. it measured one foot 3/4 inches from tip ...
Mar 4 1806
Clark: March 4, 1806
...skets with hot Stones is not so good. The turtle doves and robin are the Same of those of our countrey and are found as well as the plains as open countrey. the Co...
May 17 1806
Clark: May 17, 1806
Saturday 17th May 1806 rained moderately all the last night and this morning untill we are wet. The little river on which we are encamped...
May 29 1806
Clark: May 29, 1806
Thursday 29th of May 1806 No movement of the party to day worthy of notice. we have once more a good Stock of Meat and...
Jun 1 1806
Lewis: June 1, 1806
Sunday June 1st 1806. Yesterday evening Charbono an LaPage returned, having made a broken voyage. they ascended the river on this side nearly opposite to...
Jul 1 1806
Lewis: July 1, 1806
...ill crain, prarie hen with the short and pointed tail, the robin, a speceis of brown plover, a few curloos, small black birds, ravens hawks and a variety of sparro...
Jul 6 1806
Lewis: July 6, 1806
... horses. saw some Curloos, bee martains woodpeckers plover robins, doves, ravens, hawks and a variety of sparrows common to the plains also some ducks. the North f...

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