Pale Spring Beauty, Serpentine springbeauty

Claytonia exigua

Physical Characteristics

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.

Distribution

Western N. America - British Columbia southwards.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 105, 257]. Succulent[177].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known