Claytonia umbellata
Encyclopedia
Claytonia umbellata is a species of wildflower in the purslane family
known by the common name Great Basin springbeauty. It is native to the Great Basin
of the United States, where it grows mainly in subalpine
coniferous forests, often on exposed slopes in the talus
. It is a perennial herb growing from a tuber
up to 5 centimeters wide and a thin taproot
. Most of the stem develops underground, as do the petioles
of the most basal leaves. Above the ground appear a few oval-shaped fleshy red to green leaves and an inflorescence
of up to 12 flowers. Each flower has five white to deeply pink-tinted petals.
Portulacaceae
Portulacaceae are a family of flowering plants, comprising about 20 genera with about 500 species, ranging from herbaceous plants to shrubs. The family has been recognised by most taxonomists, and is also known as the purslane family; it has a cosmopolitan distribution, with the highest diversity...
known by the common name Great Basin springbeauty. It is native to the Great Basin
Great Basin
The Great Basin is the largest area of contiguous endorheic watersheds in North America and is noted for its arid conditions and Basin and Range topography that varies from the North American low point at Badwater Basin to the highest point of the contiguous United States, less than away at the...
of the United States, where it grows mainly in subalpine
Subalpine
The subalpine zone is the biotic zone immediately below tree line around the world. Species that occur in this zone depend on the location of the zone on the Earth, for example, Snow Gum in Australia, or Subalpine Larch, Mountain Hemlock and Subalpine Fir in western North America.Trees in the...
coniferous forests, often on exposed slopes in the talus
Scree
Scree, also called talus, is a term given to an accumulation of broken rock fragments at the base of crags, mountain cliffs, or valley shoulders. Landforms associated with these materials are sometimes called scree slopes or talus piles...
. It is a perennial herb growing from a tuber
Tuber
Tubers are various types of modified plant structures that are enlarged to store nutrients. They are used by plants to survive the winter or dry months and provide energy and nutrients for regrowth during the next growing season and they are a means of asexual reproduction...
up to 5 centimeters wide and a thin taproot
Taproot
A taproot is an enlarged, somewhat straight to tapering plant root that grows vertically downward. It forms a center from which other roots sprout laterally.Plants with taproots are difficult to transplant...
. Most of the stem develops underground, as do the petioles
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
of the most basal leaves. Above the ground appear a few oval-shaped fleshy red to green leaves and an inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
of up to 12 flowers. Each flower has five white to deeply pink-tinted petals.