Western spring beauty

Claytonia caroliniana Michaux var. peirsonii (Munz & I. M. Johnston) B. Boivin; C. lanceolata subsp. chrysantha (Greene) Ferris, C. lanceolata var. chrysantha (Greene) C. L. Hitchcock; C. lanceolata var. idahoensis R. J. Davis; C. lanceolata var. peirsonii Munz & I. M. Johnston; C. sessilifolia (Torrey) Henshaw

Plants perennial, with globose tubers 5-20 mm diam.; periderm 1-5 mm. Stems 1-10 cm. Leaves: basal leaves 1-6, often absent at flowering, blade linear to lanceolate, 5-40 × 0.2-1.6 cm; cauline leaves sessile, blade ovate to narrowly lanceolate, 1-6 × 0.5-2 cm. Inflorescences 1-bracteate (rarely with 2 bracts). Flowers 8-14 mm diam.; sepals 4-6 mm; petals white to pink, rose, magenta, yellow, or deep orange, 5-20 mm; ovules 6. Seeds 2-2.5 mm diam., shiny and smooth; elaiosome 1-2 mm. 2n = 12, 16, 24, 32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 64, 74, ca. 90.

Flowering Apr-Jul. Sagebrush and montane foothills to alpine areas, particularly where snow persists; 500-3000 m; Alta., B.C., Sask.; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., Utah, Wash., Wyo.

Some differences of opinion exist regarding the relationships of Claytonia lanceolata and C. rosea. The work of D. K. Halleck and D. Wiens (1966) and J. S. Shelly et al. (1998) provides ample justification for their recognition as distinct species.

SELECTED REFERENCES

Douglas, G. W. and R. J. Taylor. 1972. The biosystematics, chemotaxonomy, and ecology of Claytonia lanceolata in western Washington. Canad. J. Bot. 50: 2177-2187. Stewart, D. and D. Wiens. 1971. Chromosome races in Claytonia lanceolata (Portulacaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 58: 41-47.