SafePlants

Lanceleaf Springbeauty (Claytonia lanceolata)

Claytonia lanceolata, commonly known as Lanceleaf Springbeauty or Western Springbeauty, is a charming wildflower belonging to the purslane family.

Considerations for Pets and Children

• This plant is small, growing only to about 8 inches tall.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Claytonia lanceolata Pall. ex Pursh
• Common Names: Lanceleaf Springbeauty, Western Springbeauty, Spring Beauty, Indian Potato
• Family: Montiaceae (purslane family)
• Life Form: Perennial forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass)
• Synonyms: Claytonia lanceolata var. lanceolata, Claytonia lanceolata var. idahoensis.

Distribution and Habitat

• Lanceleaf Springbeauty is found in the western and southwestern USA.
• It thrives in semi-arid montane habitats and moist streambanks, including alpine tundra.

Morphological Characteristics

• It is an erect, perennial, herbaceous plant, growing 2 to 6 inches tall (up to 0.2 meters).
• The plant has one to a few lance-shaped leaves.
• It produces clusters of 3 to 20 small but showy flowers.
• The flowers typically have five petals and range in color from white to deep pink, sometimes even orange or yellow. Pink veins and anthers may be present.

Phenology

• Lanceleaf Springbeauty is a perennial that blooms in the spring.
• Flowering occurs in March, and seeds ripen in May.
• It is hardy to zone (UK) 5.

Further Information

• USDA Plants Database: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=clla2
• Discover Life: Information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution of Claytonia lanceolata - Lanceleaf springbeauty.