Claytonia parviflora subsp. utahensis
Photo: parent species Claytonia parviflora · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Claytonia parviflora subsp. utahensis is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by . Elliptic basal leaves and desert habitat distinctive.
Utah miner's lettuce is a California native annual found in the Tehachapi and Mojave Desert mountains in rock crevices, alluvial fans, and boulder fields at elevations of 1,000 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this delicate plant produces small white to pink flowers 2 to 6 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems that form a distinctive disk-like base where cauline leaves fuse together, it typically reaches a low-spreading growth habit. Its leaves are distinctively basal and elliptic, with the lower leaves forming a unique circular arrangement around the stem. The tiny seeds measure 1.2 to 2.3 millimeters, reflecting the plant's diminutive and elegant structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 7 species. Elliptic basal leaves and desert habitat distinctive.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rock crevices, alluvial fans, boulder fields
Elevation: 1000-1500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, Inyo, Riverside, Tulare, Stanislaus, Fresno, Alameda, San Diego
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Claytonia parviflora subsp. utahensis blooms Apr-Jul.
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 parviflora subsp. utahensis native to California?
Yes. Claytonia parviflora subsp. utahensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia parviflora subsp. utahensis bloom?
Claytonia parviflora subsp. utahensis blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Claytonia parviflora subsp. utahensis grow?
Claytonia parviflora subsp. utahensis occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, Inyo, Riverside, Tulare, Stanislaus, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of 1000-1500 m.
What plant family does Claytonia parviflora subsp. utahensis belong to?
Claytonia parviflora subsp. utahensis is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
What habitat does Claytonia parviflora subsp. utahensis grow in?
Claytonia parviflora subsp. utahensis grows in Rock crevices, alluvial fans, boulder fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis
- Claytonia peirsonii — Peirson's spring beauty
- Claytonia peirsonii subsp. bernardinus — San bernardino spring beauty
- Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis — Furnace spring beauty
- Claytonia peirsonii subsp. peirsonii — Peirson's spring beauty
- Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii — York's spring beauty
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.