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Claytonia megarhiza - (Gray.)Parry.

Common Name Alpine Spring Beauty
Family Portulacaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Gravelly soils, rock crevices and high montane regions[60]. Talus, scree and gravelly slopes at elevations of 2000 - 4000 metres[270].
Range Western N. America - Washington and southwards.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Claytonia megarhiza Alpine Spring Beauty


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Claytonia megarhiza Alpine Spring Beauty
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Claytonia megarhiza is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to July, and the seeds ripen in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked[2, 62, 85, 161]. Peeled, then boiled or baked[183]. The root is long, fleshy and up to 2.5cm thick[183, 200]. Leaves and flowering tops - raw or cooked as a potherb[85, 172, 183]. Succulent, juicy and mild in flavour[183]. Flowers - raw.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a damp peaty soil and a position in full sun[1, 164]. Requires a very well-drained lime-free soil[164, 200]. A very cold hardy plant, succeeding outdoors in all parts of Britain, but it is liable to rot if the soil is wet[60, 200]. A good plant for the rock garden[60]. Plants are prone to aphis infestation[188]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 7 through 5. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is a tap root similar to a carrot going directly down [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - surface sow on a peat based compost in spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 4 weeks at 10°c[164]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Division of offsets in spring or autumn.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Northwest Territories, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Claytonia acutifoliaBering Sea Spring BeautyPerennial0.2 -  LMNM30 
Claytonia carolinianaBroad-Leaved Spring Beauty, Carolina springbeautyPerennial0.1 5-9  LMNM301
Claytonia exiguaPale Spring Beauty, Serpentine springbeautyAnnual0.1 0-0  LMHFSNDM20 
Claytonia lanceolataLanceleaf Spring Beauty, Idaho springbeauty, Pacific springbeauty, Peirson's springbeautyPerennial0.2 4-8  LMNM30 
Claytonia perfoliataMiner's LettuceAnnual0.2 6-10  LMHFSNDM412
Claytonia scammanianaScamman's Claytonia, Scamman's springbeautyPerennial0.2 0-0  LMNM20 
Claytonia sibiricaPink Purslane, Siberian springbeautyAnnual/Perennial0.2 3-7  LMHFSNDM413
Claytonia tuberosaTuberous Spring BeautyPerennial0.2 4-8  LMNM30 
Claytonia umbellataGreat Basin Spring BeautyPerennial0.2 -  LMNM20 
Claytonia virginicaSpring Beauty, Virginia springbeauty, Hammond's claytonia, Yellow Virginia springbeautyPerennial0.2 5-7 MLMSM31 
Osmunda claytonianaInterrupted FernFern0.5 3-7  LMHSNMWe21 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Gray.)Parry.

Botanical References

60200270

Links / References

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