Claytonia nevadensis
Sierra spring beauty
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Claytonia nevadensis (Sierra spring beauty) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by rhizomatous habit and consistently pink flowers distinctive.
Sierra spring beauty is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and eastern Sierra Nevada in subalpine streams, springs, and melting snow beds at elevations of 2,200 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces delicate pink flowers 6 to 10 millimeters long with pale sepals. Growing with short stems 2 to 10 centimeters tall that spread or grow erect, it develops a long horizontal white or yellowish caudex with branched rhizomes. Its basal leaves are 1 to 5 centimeters long, elliptic to widely ovate with wedge-shaped bases and obtuse tips, while cauline leaves are smaller and sessile. The plant produces small round, shiny seeds about 1.5 to 2 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; rhizomatous habit and consistently pink flowers distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Subalpine streams, springs, melting snow beds, gravel or sand
Elevation: 2200-3500 m
California counties: Mono, Alpine, Madera, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Sierra, Shasta, Plumas, Mariposa
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Claytonia nevadensis blooms Jul-Sep.
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 nevadensis native to California?
Yes. Claytonia nevadensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia nevadensis bloom?
Claytonia nevadensis blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Claytonia nevadensis grow?
Claytonia nevadensis occurs in Mono, Alpine, Madera, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Sierra, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of 2200-3500 m.
What plant family does Claytonia nevadensis belong to?
Claytonia nevadensis is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
What habitat does Claytonia nevadensis grow in?
Claytonia nevadensis grows in Subalpine streams, springs, melting snow beds, gravel or sand.
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.