Flora of the Southeastern United States

Claytonia virginica Linnaeus var. virginica. Common name: Spring-beauty. Phenology: (Jan-) Feb-Apr (-May). Habitat: Moist forests, lawns. Distribution: NS west to MN, south to GA and TX.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: Differences in ploidy and subtle differences in morphology have been used to differentiate two varieties in the more widespread white-to-pink-flowered plants, and this may be warranted but needs more careful study using modern techniques. Var. virginica has chromosome numbers of n=8 and polyploid and polyploid/aneuploid derivatives of that number, broader leaves [the widest leaves on a plant 5-10 (-20) mm wide], and a broader distribution (NS west to MN, south to sw. GA and TX. Var. acutiflora A.P. de Candolle has chromosome numbers of n=6, n=7, and polyploid and polyploid/aneuploid derivatives of those numbers, narrower leaves [the widest leaves on a plant 1-2 (-4) mm wide], and a more restricted, southerly distribution (north to VA and IL). Wide-leaved plants, corresponding to C. virginica f. robusta (Somes) Palmer & Steyermark, have been confused with plants of both C. arkansana and C. caroliniana in Arkansas in the past.

Synonymy ⓘ: = K4, Snyder (1992a); = Claytonia virginica L. — G, Il, Mo3, Pa, RAB, Tx, Va, W, Miller & Chambers (2006); > Claytonia media (DC.) Link — S; > Claytonia simsii Sweet; < Claytonia virginica L. — Ar, Can, F, FNA4, GrPl, Mi, NcTx, NE, NY, S13, Tat, Schneider (2019); > Claytonia virginica L. — S; > Claytonia virginica L. var. acutiflora DC. — C; > Claytonia virginica L. var. simsii (Sweet) R.J.Davis — Davis (1966); > Claytonia virginica L. var. virginica — C, Davis (1966). Basionym: Claytonia virginica L. 1753

Links to other floras: < Claytonia virginica - FNA4

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (name change)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC (name change)
• Great Plains: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Midwest: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily ⓘ: 5