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alpine springbeauty

Scientific Name: Claytonia megarhiza

Family: Portulacaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Alpine Spring Beauty (Claytonia megarhiza)

Alpine Spring Beauty, scientifically known as Claytonia megarhiza, is a captivating wildflower found in high-altitude environments. Often one of the first wildflowers to bloom in spring, it adds a splash of color to the rocky landscapes it inhabits.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is a succulent perennial.
  • It has a thick, carrot-like root.
  • The basal leaves are spoon-shaped and can be 1-4 inches long.

Common Names

  • Alpine Spring Beauty
  • Fell-fields claytonia
  • Big-rooted Spring Beauty

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Claytonia megarhiza
  • Family: Montiaceae (Miner's Lettuce Family), also classified under Portulacaceae.
  • Synonyms: Claytonia arctica, Claytonia arctica var. megarhiza, Claytonia megarhiza (A. Gray) Parry ex S. Watson
  • Subspecies: Claytonia megarhiza var. bellidifolia

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to high-altitude regions, particularly the Rocky Mountains.
  • Found on summits and slopes, including Argentine Peak and Mt. Evans.
  • Grows in severe high alpine scree and fell-fields.
  • Observed in locations such as Governor Basin in the San Juan Mountains, above Ouray, Colorado (at 11,000-12,000 ft).
  • Also observed in the high alpine tundra of Alaska.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Evergreen perennial herb.
  • Grows to a height of approximately 0.2 meters (8 inches) and a width of 0.1 meters (4 inches).
  • Succulent perennial with a thick, carrot-like root.
  • Features a rosette of basal leaves.
  • Basal leaves are spoon-shaped and range from 1 to 4 inches in length.
  • Flowers from April.

Quirky Facts

  • Alpine Spring Beauty is considered one of the first spring wildflowers in several vegetation zones of the "F Corners" area (though the precise meaning of "F Corners" is not detailed).

Additional Resources

  • Dave's Garden: A community where gardeners share tips and ideas.
  • California Academy of Sciences: Source of identification detail from Gerald and Buff Corsi.
  • VanDusen Botanical Garden Association fonds: Library with botanical specimen records.