Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii
York's 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. yorkii (York's spring beauty) is a native California perennial in the Montiaceae family.
York's spring beauty is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in openings in its native habitat at elevations likely between 500 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from February to April, this delicate plant produces white to faint pink flowers with yellow to orange bases, often showing subtle pink veining. Growing with slender stems 6.5 to 9.5 centimeters tall, it develops distinctive light to dark green leaves that range from 10 to 15 millimeters long and 1 to 2 millimeters wide. Its basal leaves are lanceolate to oblanceolate, with cauline leaves sessile and narrowly elliptic, displaying subtle secondary veins that appear slightly raised. The small, delicate flowers and narrow leaves make this spring beauty a subtle but charming alpine wildflower.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in
Bloom period
Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii blooms Feb-Apr.
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. yorkii native to California?
Yes. Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii bloom?
Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii blooms Feb-Apr.
What plant family does Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii belong to?
Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
Is Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii rare or endangered?
Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii grow in?
Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii grows in Openings in.
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.