Claytonia palustris
Marsh claytonia, Marsh Claytonia
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Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Claytonia palustris (Marsh claytonia) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by tall stature and bracted inflorescence distinctive.
Marsh claytonia is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, and southern Sierra Nevada in marshy meadows, springs, and streambanks at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces delicate white to pale pink flowers 5 to 9 millimeters long in small clusters of 5 to 18 blooms. Growing with slender spreading to erect stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall, it develops a short horizontal white caudex with thin rhizomes and bulb-like buds. Its leaves are distinctive, with basal blades 2 to 8 centimeters long, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, and cauline leaves that are oblanceolate to widely elliptic, ranging from 2 to 9 centimeters in length. The tiny fruits are 2 to 3 millimeters long, containing round seeds about 1.5 to 1.8 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; tall stature and bracted inflorescence distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marshy meadows, springs, streambanks
Elevation: 1000-2500 m
California counties: Tulare, Butte, Fresno, Tehama, Plumas, Siskiyou, Trinity
Bloom period
Claytonia palustris blooms May-Aug.
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 palustris native to California?
Yes. Claytonia palustris is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia palustris bloom?
Claytonia palustris blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Claytonia palustris grow?
Claytonia palustris occurs in Tulare, Butte, Fresno, Tehama, Plumas, Siskiyou, Trinity, at elevations of 1000-2500 m.
What plant family does Claytonia palustris belong to?
Claytonia palustris is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
Is Claytonia palustris rare or endangered?
Claytonia palustris carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.