Claytonia crawfordii
Crawford's spring beauty
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Claytonia crawfordii (Crawford's spring beauty) is a native California perennial in the Montiaceae family, recognized by distinctive bicolored leaves diagnostic.
Crawford's spring beauty is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in exposed forest openings on north-facing volcanic slopes at elevations of 800 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces white flowers with faint pink veins, the petals occasionally showing a soft pink base. Growing with slender erect stems 3 to 8 centimeters tall, it emerges from a spheric brown tuberous root. Its two cauline leaves are green with distinctively raised secondary veins, ranging from ovate to elliptic and measuring 8 to 34 millimeters long, with a striking color contrast of dark green on top and beet-red underneath. Its small spheric seeds are smooth and measure 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive bicolored leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Exposed forest openings, generally on north-facing, stony and talus slopes of volcanic rocks and in volcanic-derived soils
Bloom period
Claytonia crawfordii blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Montia: Claytonia has just 2 stem leaves opposite or fused; Montia has multiple stem leaves arranged alternately.; vs Stellaria: Claytonia has 2 broad stem leaves and 5 petals; Stellaria has many narrow opposite leaves and deeply notched petals.; vs Hydrocotyle: Claytonia has 5-petaled flowers above paired stem leaves; Hydrocotyle has round shield-like leaves and tiny flower clusters.; vs Lewisia: Claytonia has thin leaves on upright stems in moist areas; Lewisia forms succulent rosettes on rocky cliffs.; vs Dichondra: Claytonia has upright stems with 5-petaled flowers; Dichondra is a creeping plant with kidney-shaped leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claytonia crawfordii native to California?
Yes. Claytonia crawfordii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia crawfordii bloom?
Claytonia crawfordii blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Claytonia crawfordii belong to?
Claytonia crawfordii is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
Is Claytonia crawfordii rare or endangered?
Claytonia crawfordii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Claytonia crawfordii grow in?
Claytonia crawfordii grows in Exposed forest openings, generally on north-facing, stony and talus slopes of volcanic rocks and in volcanic-derived soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.