Claytonia lanceolata
Montiaceae
Western Spring Beauty
Erect. Basal leaves sometimes absent; stem leaves a single pair clasping the stem partway from ground. Leaves wedge-shaped tapering to sharp tips. Flowers 3–15 with short stalks or sessile above leaves in loose, sometimes 1-sided cluster. Flower petals white or pink with pink veins or occasionally yellow or orange. Found in moist meadows, slopes, woodlands, at mid to alpine elevations. Grows from corms that taste like potato when cooked; sometimes called Indian potato.
- Rarity: Common
- Flowering Time: Mid Spring
- Flower Form: 5 or more petals, leaves often succulent, perslane
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Height: up to 8 inches
- Habitat: Alpine, Coastal, East-side Forest, Subalpine, Vernal Wet, West-side Forest
- Found In: Crater Lake NP, East Gorge, Mt. Rainier NP, N Cascades NP, Olympic NP, Siskiyous, Steens, Wallowas
- Native: Yes
- Also Known As: Spring Beauty, Indian Potato
