SafePlants

Alpine Spring Beauty (Claytonia megarhiza)

Alpine Spring Beauty, scientifically known as Claytonia megarhiza, is a captivating wildflower found in high-altitude environments. It's a perennial herb cherished for its delicate beauty and resilience.

Considerations for Pets

• Claytonia megarhiza is a succulent perennial. Succulent plants can sometimes cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by pets.
• The plant is a small perennial, with leaves growing 1-4 inches long, which can be tempting for pets to chew on.

Considerations for Children

• Claytonia megarhiza is a succulent perennial. Succulent plants can sometimes cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by children.
• The plant is a small perennial, with leaves growing 1-4 inches long, which can be tempting for small children to chew on.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Claytonia megarhiza (A. Gray) Parry ex S. Watson
• Common Names: Alpine Spring Beauty, Fell-fields Claytonia, Big-rooted Spring Beauty
• Family: Montiaceae (Miner's Lettuce Family), formerly Portulacaceae
• Genus: Claytonia
• Synonyms: Claytonia arctica, Claytonia arctica var. megarhiza
• Subspecies: Claytonia megarhiza var. bellidifolia

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the Rocky Mountains and high alpine tundra of Alaska.
• Commonly found on summits and slopes, including locations such as Argentine Peak and Mount Evans in Colorado.
• Thrives in severe high alpine scree environments.
• Grows at elevations of 11,000-12,000 ft in areas like the San Juan Mountains.

Morphological Characteristics

• Evergreen perennial herb, growing to a height of approximately 0.2 meters (8 inches) and a width of 0.1 meters (4 inches).
• Succulent perennial.
• Features a rosette of basal leaves emerging from a thick, carrot-like root.
• Basal leaves are spoon-shaped and measure 1 to 4 inches in length.
• Flowers typically bloom from April to July, exhibiting pink coloration.

Ecological Role

• One of the first spring wildflowers to appear in several vegetation zones.

Quirky Facts

• It's a "high-alpine succulent perennial," hinting at its ability to store water and withstand harsh conditions.

Additional Information

• Hardy to zone (UK) 4.
• Prefers neutral soil acidity.
• Suitable for rock gardens, flowerbeds, borders, and containers.
• Find more information at Dave's Garden, a community that shares gardening tips, seeds, and plants.
• Identified with ID number 8253 3202 3489 0079 at the California Academy of Sciences.
• Specimens can be found in the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association fonds.