Flora of East-Central Indiana

Spring Beauty
Scientific Name Claytonia virginica  L.
Family Name Portulacaceae (Purslane Family)

 

Characteristics
Habitat: prefers rich, moist woods and fields, but found in other areas as well
Plant Height: to 30 cm, erect stem
Flower Color: white; can have pinkish hue due to distinct veins in petals
Flower: perfect; complete; 2 sepals; 5 petals; 5 stamens with pink anthers opposite petals; ovules 6; style with 3 short lobes; 2 cm wide
Inflorescence: terminal raceme
Fruit: ovoid capsule
Leaves: cauline leaves usually much longer than wide, long-tapering to base; opposite; entire
Bloom Time: April-June
Origins: native
Other: plant grows from underground sweet, chestnut-like tasting tuber; Native Americans used tuber as food; similar species C. caroliniana  has broader, oval to oblong leaves
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claytonia_virginica_flowers3.jpg (80666 bytes)

 claytonia_virginica_form.jpg (45537 bytes)
general plant habit habitat flowers form

Native Wildflowers ● Trees, Shrubs&Vines ● Ferns ● Grasses&Allies ● Non-Native Species ●  ECI Flora Home

information provided by

FSEEC
Field Station and
Environmental Education Center
Ball State University, Muncie, IN



comments to:
hbrown@bsu.edu