Claytonia obovata
Rydberg's spring beauty
(c) Gail A Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Claytonia obovata (Rydberg's spring beauty) is a native California perennial in the Montiaceae family, recognized by bicolored leaves and habitat diagnostic.
Rydberg's spring beauty is a California native perennial found in subalpine forest openings on north-facing stony slopes of sedimentary and mafic rock formations at elevations ranging from mid to high mountain zones. Flowering from April to July, this delicate plant produces white to pinkish flowers with faint pink veins and yellow bases, each petal 5 to 7.5 millimeters long. Growing with slender erect stems 3.5 to 8.5 centimeters tall, it develops a spheric tuberous root 0.7 to 2 centimeters wide, sometimes narrowed at the tip where aerial stems emerge. Its leaves are distinctively colored dark green on top and beet-red underneath, with two cauline leaves that are elliptic to ovate, 7.5 to 22 millimeters long and asymmetrically based. This small alpine plant has delicate flowers that emerge from a single terminal inflorescence, creating a subtle but charming display in high mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; bicolored leaves and habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings of subalpine forest, generally on north-facing, stony and talus slopes of sedimentary (or metasedimentary) (e.g. grey-wacke, limestone, shale) or mafic (e.g. gabbro, peridotite, serpentinite) rocks and derived soils
Outside California: to southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Claytonia obovata blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 obovata native to California?
Yes. Claytonia obovata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia obovata bloom?
Claytonia obovata blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Claytonia obovata belong to?
Claytonia obovata is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
Is Claytonia obovata rare or endangered?
Claytonia obovata carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Claytonia obovata grow in?
Claytonia obovata grows in Openings of subalpine forest, generally on north-facing, stony and talus slopes of sedimentary (or metasedimentary) (e.g. grey-wacke, limestone, shale) or mafic (e.g. gabbro, peridotite, serpentinite) rocks and derived soils.
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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.