Claytonia panamintensis
Panamint spring beauty
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Claytonia panamintensis (Panamint spring beauty) is a native California perennial in the Montiaceae family, recognized by petioled leaves and large flowers diagnostic.
Panamint spring beauty is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in openings of pinyon-juniper and oak woodland on north-facing, stony slopes in sedimentary substrates at elevations of 1,000 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from February to May, this delicate plant produces white flowers with faint pink veining and yellow bases, ranging 8 to 10 millimeters long. Growing 11 to 14 centimeters tall with erect stems, it develops a distinctive spheric brown tuberous root 0.5 to 2.5 centimeters wide. Its cauline leaves are dark green on top, often beet-red underneath, with 2 to 4 elliptic to oblanceolate leaves measuring 30 to 60 millimeters long and distinctly petioled. The flower buds emerge nodding, with small membranous bracts at the base of the inflorescence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; petioled leaves and large flowers diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in pinyon-juniper and oak woodland, on north-facing, stony and talus slopes of mainly sedimentary (or metasedimentary) substrates (e.g. marble, shale/slate, sandstone) mixed with decomposing organic material
Outside California: to southern Nevada (Spring Mountains)
Bloom period
Claytonia panamintensis blooms Feb-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 panamintensis native to California?
Yes. Claytonia panamintensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia panamintensis bloom?
Claytonia panamintensis blooms Feb-May.
What plant family does Claytonia panamintensis belong to?
Claytonia panamintensis is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
Is Claytonia panamintensis rare or endangered?
Claytonia panamintensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Claytonia panamintensis grow in?
Claytonia panamintensis grows in Openings in pinyon-juniper and oak woodland, on north-facing, stony and talus slopes of mainly sedimentary (or metasedimentary) substrates (e.g. marble, shale/slate, sandstone) mixed with decomposing organic material.
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.