Ontario Wildflowers website

Carolina Spring Beauty
Claytonia caroliniana

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana) Other common names: Good Morning Spring, Rose Elf, Wide-leaved Spring Beauty

French names: Claytonie de Caroline

Family: Montia Family (Montiaceae), (Purslane Family (Portulacaceae))

Distinctive features: Early spring flowers, broader leaves.

Similar species:
  •   Narrow-leaved Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) - Narrow leaves, more of a southern species.


Flowers: Spring;  White, Red/Pink;  5 parts (petals)

Leaves: Broad.

Height: 12 cm (5 in)

Habitat: Forests

Lifespan: Perennial.  

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 270    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 32, 238    ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 341   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Common.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: caroliniana: of the Carolinas; Claytonia is named in honour of John Clayton (1686-1773), who botanized Virginia for 51 years.


Photographs: 187 photographs available, of which 10 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

The flowers are why this is called "Spring Beauty" - they are indeed beautiful.

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

These are very low, forest floor plants.

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

This photo shows the broader leaves of Carolina Spring Beauty. Narrow-leaved Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) has narrow long leaves.

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

The flowers sometimes tend towards white.

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

Nice closeup view of a Carolina Spring Beauty flower.

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

The flowers can also be bluish, or pinkish.

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

A good view of the broad leaf.

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

Early spring nourishment for the bees.


Range map for Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)