Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis
Furnace spring beauty
Photo: parent species Claytonia peirsonii · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis (Furnace spring beauty) is a native California perennial in the Montiaceae family.
Furnace spring beauty is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in pinyon-juniper and white fir-limber pine mixed associations on north-facing stony and talus slopes of limestone and marble substrates. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces white to light pink flowers with yellow to orange or pink bases, delicately veined in faint pink. Growing with slender stems 3 to 8 centimeters tall, it forms low, compact clusters in rocky mountain terrain. Its basal leaves are narrow and lance-linear, measuring 5 to 25 millimeters long and less than 3 millimeters wide, with a distinctive green venation that appears slightly raised. The small, oblanceolate to elliptic cauline leaves range from 10 to 23 millimeters in length, often displaying subtle green secondary veins.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings of pinyon-juniper and white fir-limber pine mixed associations, on north-facing stony and talus slopes of carbonate-dominated sedimentary (or metasedimentary) substrates (e.g. limestone, marble) often mixed with organic material
Bloom period
Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis blooms Mar-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 peirsonii subsp. californacis native to California?
Yes. Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis bloom?
Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis belong to?
Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
Is Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis rare or endangered?
Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis grow in?
Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis grows in Openings of pinyon-juniper and white fir-limber pine mixed associations, on north-facing stony and talus slopes of carbonate-dominated sedimentary (or metasedimentary) substrates (e.g. limestone, marble) often mixed with organic material.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.