Common Name: Spring Beauty

Scientific Name: Claytonia virginica

Family: Montiaceae 

Habitat: Woodlands, Meadows

Native: Yes

Life Cycle: Perennial, Ephemeral

Bloom Time: Spring

Height: Up to 10 inches

Light: Partial shade to full sun

Soil: Moist, Well drained

Pollinators: Bees

Description: Spring Beauty is a native spring ephemeral that opens when the sun is out and closes at night and on cloudy days. Also known as the Fairy Spud, Spring Beauty spreads by underground tubers and grows from small, potato-like corms. Spring Beauty can create a beautiful groundcover and easily naturalizes in woodlands, meadows, or native wildflower gardens. This photo of a Spring Beauty was taken in the Woodland Garden at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve.