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Claytonia caroliniana - Michx.

Common Name Broad-Leaved Spring Beauty, Carolina springbeauty
Family Portulacaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rich open woods, alluvial thickets and upland slopes[43]. Wetlands and riparian hardwood forests from sea level to 1400 metres[270].
Range Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan, south to North Carolina, Ohio and Missouri.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Claytonia caroliniana Broad-Leaved Spring Beauty,  Carolina springbeauty


William S. Justice @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Claytonia caroliniana Broad-Leaved Spring Beauty,  Carolina springbeauty
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 2: 38.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Claytonia caroliniana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower in March, and the seeds ripen in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
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

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked like potatoes[2, 22, 46, 62, 85, 183, 257]. Rich in starch, it has a pleasant nutty flavour[105, K]. Leaves and stems - raw or cooked[62]. A very mild flavour, they are best mixed with stronger tasting leaves[183].

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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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

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 lime-free soil[164]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 6 through 1. (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. Ephemeral emerging in spring and dying back by summer every year [1-2]. A clumping mat former. Forming a dense prostrate carpet spreading indefinitely [1-2]. The root pattern is a corm swelling at the stem base [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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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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 Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 :

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Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Claytonia acutifoliaBering Sea Spring BeautyPerennial0.2 -  LMNM30 
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 megarhizaAlpine Spring BeautyPerennial0.2 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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Michx.

Botanical References

43200270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

mélyssa   Tue Apr 12 17:49:40 2005

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   Sep 30 2011 12:00AM

Edible Forest Gardens, Vol. 2 (Jacke & Toensmeier), lists this as preferring semi-shade or full shade in the Plant Species Matrix at the back of the book.

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Subject : Claytonia caroliniana  
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