Carolina Springbeauty
ExplorePlants
Carolina Springbeauty
Claytonia caroliniana
Carolina Springbeauty is a lovely little flower that blooms in spring. Its pink and white petals look like tiny stars and are often found in shady places.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Carolina Springbeauty is a small, delicate plant with slender stems and narrow, grass-like leaves. Its five-petaled flowers are typically white or pale pink, often adorned with distinctive darker pink or purple veins. These pretty stripes make it stand out against the forest floor.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyMontiaceaeGenusClaytonia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ants are super helpful! They carry the seeds away, helping new plants grow far.
Each little flower only opens when the sun is out, closing tightly on cloudy days!
Its yummy corm (like a tiny potato!) was a survival food for Native Americans!
This 'spring ephemeral' disappears completely by summer, only to return next year!
Special abilities
Ability
Underground Pantry
Carolina Springbeauty stores energy in an edible underground corm (like a tiny potato!) that helps it sprout super early in spring.
Ability
Sunlight Sprint
It can bloom before trees get their leaves, helping it soak up precious sunlight on the forest floor.
Ability
Pollinator Pathways
Carolina Springbeauty has delicate pink veins on its petals that help guide insects directly to its nectar and pollen.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-25 cm
- Spread
- 5-15 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Early spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Clayton's miner bee
Andrena claytoniae
Specialist bee relies on its pollen
eaten by
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer browse on its leaves and flowers
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Generalist pollinator collects its nectar
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't pick flowers, so everyone can enjoy them!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Carolina Springbeauty?
10-25 cm
How wide does Carolina Springbeauty spread?
5-15 cm
How big are the flowers on Carolina Springbeauty?
0.5-1.5 cm
When does Carolina Springbeauty bloom?
Early spring
Is Carolina Springbeauty edible?
Yes
Is Carolina Springbeauty toxic?
None
What is Carolina Springbeauty's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Carolina Springbeauty pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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