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Claytonia caroliniana is often confused with:
Claytonia virginica Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Viola pedata Viola pedata
Viola pubescens Form
Viola striata Viola striata

Fairy Spud Claytonia caroliniana

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Fairy Spud:

Phonetic Spelling
klay-TOH-nee-uh kair-oh-lin-ee-AN-uh
Description

Carolina Spring Beauty is a native wildflower and spring ephemeral. Spring ephemerals quickly bloom and seed before the canopy trees overhead leaf out. They then die down to the ground after the seed capsule matures. It is found in rich woods in partial shade and moist soil and is native to NC mountains.

The pink to white flowers have 5 petals with darker lines giving it a striped appearance. The plant grows from corms and is 6-12 inches tall with an erect to sprawling growth pattern. The tubers are edible like a potato.

It is generally difficult to find for sale.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#pink flowers#nectar plant#small mammals#specialized bees#NC native#spring interest#pollinator plant#native wildflower#food source spring#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Coastal FACU#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#woodland garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#pink flowers#nectar plant#small mammals#specialized bees#NC native#spring interest#pollinator plant#native wildflower#food source spring#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Coastal FACU#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#woodland garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Claytonia
    Species:
    caroliniana
    Family:
    Montiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Canada to North Central & Eastern U.S.A
    Distribution:
    AR, CT, GA, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV, GS
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Claytonia support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Ptilandrena) erigeniae. Chipmunks and mice will eat the corms.
    Edibility:
    The tuberous roots can be eaten like potatoes.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Prostrate
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit displays from April to June.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Description:
    A loose cluster of 5-petaled white to pale pink flowers with deeper pink veins are 0.5 in. across. The lower flower opens first. Flowers bloom from March to May.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    2 Narrowly egg-shaped to elliptic leaves are 1.5-3 in. long and 0.25-1 in. wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Specialized Bees