Claytonia megarhiza
Fell-fields claytonia, Fell-Fields Claytonia
(c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Claytonia megarhiza (Fell-fields claytonia) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by distinctive cushion growth form and thick caudex.
Fell-fields claytonia is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada and Warner Mountains in subalpine and alpine gravel, talus, and rock crevices at elevations of 2,600 to 3,300 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers approximately 5 to 9 millimeters long in small clusters of 2 to 6 blooms. Growing with a compact form, it has a distinctive long vertical brown caudex and spreading stems just 1 to 6 centimeters tall. Its basal leaves are widely elliptic to obovate, crowded and 2 to 10 centimeters long, with cauline leaves that are thin and linear. The tiny round, shiny seeds are 2 to 2.5 millimeters in diameter, nestled in fruits 3.5 to 4.5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinctive cushion growth form and thick caudex
Habitat and range
Habitat: Subalpine, alpine gravel, talus, crevices
Elevation: 2600-3300 m
California counties: Modoc, El Dorado, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Tuolumne, Mono
Outside California: to western Canada, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Claytonia megarhiza blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 megarhiza native to California?
Yes. Claytonia megarhiza is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia megarhiza bloom?
Claytonia megarhiza blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Claytonia megarhiza grow?
Claytonia megarhiza occurs in Modoc, El Dorado, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Tuolumne and other counties, at elevations of 2600-3300 m.
What plant family does Claytonia megarhiza belong to?
Claytonia megarhiza is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
Is Claytonia megarhiza rare or endangered?
Claytonia megarhiza carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.