Spring Beauties

[Lori S.]

Being up here on the cold, distal end of the North American species distribution, we have only two species of claytonia.  The one that occurs in alpine rock crevices and talus is Claytonia megarhiza.  While C. lanceolata can occur in huge numbers in turfy alpine meadows, I think I enjoy seeing it's less populous relative (C. megarhiza) somewhat more - the contrast between the hard, angular jumble of rock slabs that it often prefers to grow in, and the fleshy succulence of the leaves, is always an unexpected feast for the eyes, somehow.

It would be very nice to see some pix of the various species that occur in the more southerly alpine areas... and of the woodland types, too, of course!

[RickR]

Flowering the first year from seed witness two forms of Claytonia sibirica from seed (assuming they both really are C. sibira).  The one on the left is from NARGS seed, the one on the right grown from seed received from Todd Boland.  I grew 8-12 of each type, and the two groups were very uniform.

[RickR]

Showing some anemia from lack of fertilizer or a creeping up of soil pH as my water pH is high from a limestone aquifer, Todd's form (in the upper right) seems to be more tolerant.

[Hoy]

At last one species I grow in abundance, Claytonia sibirica! This one grows along my little creek selfsowing and flowering almost all year round. Sorry, have no good pictures.

[Lori S.]

I have not been too successful at growing C. megarhiza.  I have managed to keep it alive in a trough but for only 2-3 years.

Here's western spring beauty, Claytonia lanceolata.

[Lori S.]

Here's a shot that might give an impression of how densely C. lanceolata can grow in turfy alpine meadows... note all the little white stars amongst the glacier lilies.

[RickR]

Trond, does your sibirica look like either of mine in general growth pattern?

[Hoy]

Trond, does your sibirica look like either of mine in general growth pattern?

Hard to say, Rick. As they self-sow it is differences in aspect and flower colors. The plants get much bigger too and intertwining.

[Lori S.]

Your two pots certainly do show rather different leaf shape, Rick.  If it's at all helpful, here's a key to Claytonia species:
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=107275

[Todd Boland]

Glad to see the Claytonia are doing well Rick.....mine self-seed all over but are easy to control.  They bloom forever!  I have not had any luck with any of the other species.

Great pics Lori...I have seen lanceolata in Alberta but not megarhiza.

[Hoy]

You asked once wheather my Claytonia was similar to one of yours! I can't find the topic so I started this. Here you can look for yourself, this is one of my 10 square meters. No flower yet, the snow has recently disappeared.
The first picture shows the claytonia and the second "I still remember what we wrote about - yet! But they won't flower till April.

[Todd Boland]

Trond, those do indeed look like C. siberica.....only difference with mine is that in early spring they are tinted reddish.  Some of mine are uncovered now but most are still under about 6" snow.

You are teasing me with your S. lilio-hyacinthus!

[Hoy]

Along my little creek in the wood the Claytonia sibirica covers many square meters in the spring and early summer.

[McDonough]

You asked once wheather my Claytonia was similar to one of yours! I can't find the topic so I started this.

Trond, you can click on the HOME tab in the upper left, then in the Search field on the upper right, type in what you're searching for, such as Claytonia in this case, then click the Search button, and it'll show you all the threads where Claytonia was mentioned.  I will earmark this thread to combine with the original, will do this tonight :-)

Note:  the topic named "To Todd" has been merged with this topic "Sping Beauties" - MMcD

[Hoy]

Thanks, Mark! This was an old thread however and I would just show the Claytonia now!