Claytonia gypsophiloides
Gypsum spring beauty
(c) John Hibbard, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Claytonia gypsophiloides (Gypsum spring beauty) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by flower timing and size distinctive among annuals.
Gypsum spring beauty is a California native annual found in the northern Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, and southern Coast Ranges, including the Santa Lucia Range and Figueroa Mountain, in moist, often stony serpentine sites at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces generally pink flowers 5 to 8 millimeters long in clusters of 3 to 30 blooms. Growing with slender stems 3 to 25 centimeters tall that spread or stand erect and have a slightly bluish-gray appearance, it develops distinctive linear leaves. Its basal leaves stretch 2 to 15 centimeters long, while cauline leaves are shorter and uniquely structured, sometimes fused into a two-toothed disk. The tiny seeds are elliptic, measuring 1 to 1.5 millimeters, with a minimal appendage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; flower timing and size distinctive among annuals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, bare, often stony sites, in sun or shade, often serpentine
Elevation: < 1300 m
California counties: Mendocino, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, Kern, Lake, Napa, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Monterey, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Colusa, Merced, Amador
Bloom period
Claytonia gypsophiloides blooms Mar-May.
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 gypsophiloides native to California?
Yes. Claytonia gypsophiloides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia gypsophiloides bloom?
Claytonia gypsophiloides blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Claytonia gypsophiloides grow?
Claytonia gypsophiloides occurs in Mendocino, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, Kern, Lake, Napa, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 1300 m.
What plant family does Claytonia gypsophiloides belong to?
Claytonia gypsophiloides is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
What habitat does Claytonia gypsophiloides grow in?
Claytonia gypsophiloides grows in Moist, bare, often stony sites, in sun or shade, 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.