Cordate-leaved spring beauty

Claytonia sibirica Linnaeus var. cordifolia (S. Watson) R. J. Davis; Montia cordifolia (S. Watson) Pax & K. Hoffmann

Plants perennial, rhizomatous; rhizomes 4-8 mm diam.; periderm absent. Stems 5-30 cm. Leaves: basal leaves petiolate, blade ovate to deltate or cordate, 2-7 × 1-5 cm; cauline leaves sessile, blade ovate, 1-4 cm. Inflorescences ebracteate. Flowers 10-15 mm diam.; sepals 4-8 mm; petals white, 8-12 mm; ovules 6. Seeds (1-)6, 1-2 mm diam., shiny and smooth; elaiosome 1 mm or less. 2n = 10, 20.

Flowering May-Sep. Meadows, seeps; 500-2000 m; B.C.; Calif., Idaho, Mont., Nev., Oreg., Utah, Wash.