Claytonia exigua subsp. exigua
Photo: parent species Claytonia exigua · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Claytonia exigua subsp. exigua is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by . Small size and linear/crescent stem leaves distinguish it.
Claytonia exigua is a California native annual found in northwestern California, Sierra Nevada foothills, Great Valley, central western California, Tehachapi Range, and Peninsular Ranges in dry or moist disturbed soils, often on serpentine, at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to July, this delicate plant produces white to pale pink flowers 2 to 5 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems typically 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms small, compact clusters in open ground. Its linear leaves are distinctive, sometimes appearing crescent-shaped and partially fused on one side, creating a unique architectural profile. In favorable conditions, this diminutive wildflower can form small, scattered populations in areas with exposed, rocky or clay-like soil.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 18 species. Small size and linear/crescent stem leaves distinguish it.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry or moist, disturbed bare clay to sandy soils, often serpentine
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: Kern, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Santa Clara, Mendocino, Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Glenn, Inyo, Lake, Madera, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Butte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Mariposa, Nevada, Solano, Sutter, Tuolumne, Santa Cruz, Placer, Merced, Calaveras, Amador, Shasta, Del Norte, Plumas, Yolo
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Claytonia exigua subsp. exigua blooms Apr-Jul.
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 subsp. exigua native to California?
Yes. Claytonia exigua subsp. exigua is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia exigua subsp. exigua bloom?
Claytonia exigua subsp. exigua blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Claytonia exigua subsp. exigua grow?
Claytonia exigua subsp. exigua occurs in Kern, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Claytonia exigua subsp. exigua belong to?
Claytonia exigua subsp. exigua is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
What habitat does Claytonia exigua subsp. exigua grow in?
Claytonia exigua subsp. exigua grows in Dry or moist, disturbed bare clay to sandy soils, often serpentine.
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.