SafePlants

Alaska Spring Beauty (Claytonia sarmentosa)

The Alaska Spring Beauty, scientifically known as Claytonia sarmentosa, is a delicate wildflower that thrives even in dry conditions. It's also known as Alaska springbeauty and creeping springbeauty.

Considerations for Pets

• The entire Spring Beauty plant, including roots and blossoms, is described as edible.

Considerations for Children

• The entire Spring Beauty plant, including roots and blossoms, is described as edible.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Claytonia sarmentosa C.A. Mey.
• Synonym: Montia (implied synonym based on family information)
• Family: Portulacaceae (Purslane Family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Subclass: Caryophyllidae
• Order: Caryophyllales
• Genus: Claytonia

Distribution and Habitat

• The Alaska Spring Beauty's geographic range is primarily in the mountains of Alaska.
• It can be found in moist slopes, such as along the road up the north side of Quigley Ridge in Denali National Park.
• It also grows from cliffs, such as at Polychrome Overlook in Denali National Park.
• Additionally, it carpets alpine meadows, as seen southwest of the Tusk in Lake Clark National Park.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• It is a small, low-growing wildflower.
• The flowers are pink in color.

Other Notable Claytonia Species

• Claytonia virginica (Spring Beauty): A common native perennial in eastern North America.
• Claytonia megarrhiza: Found in the Rocky Mountains.
• Claytonia tuberosa: Found in Alaska.
• Claytonia scammaniana (Scamman's Spring Beauty): Found in the high alpine tundra of Alaska.
• Claytonia perfoliata (Miner's Lettuce, Indian Lettuce, Winter Purslane): Found from southernmost Alaska and central British Columbia south to Central America.