Andrews' Clintonia

clintonia andrewsiana

Andrews' Clintonia, also known as the red clintonia or Andrew's bead lily, is a captivating perennial wildflower native to the shaded, damp understories of coastal redwood forests in western North America. Named after botanical collector T.L. Andrews, this plant brings a vibrant splash of color to the often dark, organic forest floor. Its striking presence is marked by thick, glossy green leaves that form a lush basal rosette, from which rises a tall, elegant stem bearing clusters of deep pinkish-red, bell-shaped flowers. Following the blooms, the plant produces distinctive, metallic porcelain-blue berries that stand out brilliantly against the dark forest litter, serving as an important visual cue for forest seed dispersers.

Habitat: Found in the deep shade and moist, acidic soils of coastal redwood and Douglas fir forests of Northern California and southwestern Oregon.

Appearance

This species features 5 to 6 large, oval-shaped leaves that are highly glossy, bright green, and can reach up to 30 cm in length. From the center of this basal rosette rises a single purplish-green flower stalk reaching 30 to 80 cm tall. At the top of the stalk, and often in smaller clusters along its sides, are small, nodding, bell-shaped flowers of a rich rose-red to deep pink hue. These flowers transition in late summer into glossy, teardrop-shaped berries of an intense, metallic blue-black color, measuring about 1 cm in diameter.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderLilialesFamilyLiliaceaeGenusClintonia

Andrews' Clintonia

Interesting facts

Despite looking like sweet, edible blueberries, the striking metallic blue berries of Andrews' Clintonia are highly bitter and considered inedible to humans.

The genus Clintonia is named in honor of DeWitt Clinton, an influential early 19th-century naturalist and three-time Governor of New York.

This species relies heavily on summer fog drip from the redwood canopy to maintain the soil moisture it needs to survive dry California summers.

Special abilities

Possesses broad, highly efficient leaves designed to maximize photosynthesis in the extremely low-light conditions of dense redwood forest understories.

Produces unique, brilliantly colored metallic blue berries that contrast sharply with dark forest litter, making them highly visible to avian seed dispersers.

Spreads slowly underground using a network of rhizomes, allowing it to establish secure colonies and share nutrients in competitive soils.

Measurements & details

Length: 30-80 cm
Lifespan: 5-25 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photoautotroph, Andrews' Clintonia produces its own organic compounds using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, while drawing essential nutrients and minerals from the rich forest soil.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Water
Carbon Dioxide
Nitrogen
Phosphorus

Ecological connections

mutualism

Coast Redwood

Sequoia sempervirens

Grows under the protective canopy and relies on the moist microclimate provided by coastal redwood trees.

eaten by

Varied Thrush

Ixoreus naevius

Feeds on the metallic blue berries during the late summer and acts as a major seed disperser.

eaten by

Douglas Squirrel

Tamiasciurus douglasii

Forages on the fallen fruits and seeds, consuming them on the forest floor.

Traits

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Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Andrews' Clintonia?

The easiest way to identify Andrews' Clintonia is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Andrews' Clintonia?

30-80 cm

How long does Andrews' Clintonia live?

5-25 years

What does Andrews' Clintonia eat?

As a photoautotroph, Andrews' Clintonia produces its own organic compounds using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, while drawing essential nutrients and minerals from the rich forest soil.

Where is Andrews' Clintonia usually found?

Found in the deep shade and moist, acidic soils of coastal redwood and Douglas fir forests of Northern California and southwestern Oregon.