Pale Spring Beauty, Serpentine springbeauty
Claytonia exigua

Family: Portulacaceae

What it is like

Claytonia exigua is a ANNUAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from February to April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.1

Where it is found

Dry to moist slopes. Open places on bare clay banks, clayey soils or sand, or scree and talus slopes from sea level to 1000 metres.

Western N. America - British Columbia southwards.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Leaves - raw or cooked. Succulent.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

We have almost no information on this species but judging by its native range it should be possible to grow it as a hardy annual in Britain. It is closely allied to M. perfoliata (a species that is naturalized in Britain) and probably has the same cultivation requirements as listed below. Prefers a moist peaty soil. Plants can succeed on very poor and dry soils and in the shade of trees.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. The seed usually germinates rapidly.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Claytonia exigua.