Claytonia exigua
Little spring beauty
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Claytonia exigua (Little spring beauty) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family.
Little spring beauty is a California native annual found in rocky or open areas at low to moderate elevations. Flowering from February to May, this delicate plant produces white to pale pink flowers 2 to 5 millimeters long in small clusters of 3 to 15 blooms. Growing with slender stems 1 to 15 centimeters tall, it spreads in a low, delicate form with both basal and cauline leaves. Its leaves are narrow and linear, with basal leaves reaching up to 12 centimeters long and cauline leaves shorter, typically under 8 centimeters. The tiny seeds are elliptic, approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters long, with a minute appendage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with no sympatric species.
Habitat and range
California counties: Humboldt, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Placer, San Diego, Monterey, Marin, Colusa, Napa, Contra Costa, Sonoma, Alameda, Santa Clara, El Dorado, Lake, Yolo, Solano, Ventura, Mendocino, Trinity, Santa Cruz
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 exigua native to California?
Yes. Claytonia exigua is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Claytonia exigua grow?
Claytonia exigua occurs in Humboldt, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Placer, San Diego, Monterey and other counties.
What plant family does Claytonia exigua belong to?
Claytonia exigua is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.