A small spring ephemeral with delicate pink-veined white flowers.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Claytonia is a genus of flowering plants native to Asia, North America, and Central America. The vitamin-rich leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and the tubers can be prepared like potatoes.
Source: Wikipedia — Claytonia Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small spring wildflower; thin grass-like leaves; delicate pink-veined white 5-petaled flowers.
Similar species. Other Claytonia species.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Spring ephemeral of eastern woodlands. Pollinated almost exclusively by Spring Beauty Mining Bee.
§ Range
Eastern North America
§ Habitat
Open woodlands
§ Threats
Habitat loss.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the spring beauty is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support eastern forest conservation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Claytonia
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Claytonia virginica
- iNaturalist · taxon 75899
- IUCN Red List — search for Claytonia virginica
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Claytonia virginica
§ Sources cited
- USDA Plants Database
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
