Chamisso’s montia

Claytonia chamissoi Ledebour ex Sprengel, Syst. Veg. 1: 790. 1824; Crunocallis chamissoi (Ledebour ex Sprengel) Rydberg

Plants perennial, rhizomatous and stoloniferous, usually bulbiferous; rhizomes and stolons slender. Stems erect, aerial portion 2-32 cm, subterranean portion 1-15 cm. Leaves opposite, petiolate; blade oblanceolate to rhombic or ovate, short, 2-60 × 1-20 mm. Inflorescences ebracteate. Flowers 2-10, often replaced by bulbils; sepals 2-4 mm; petals 5, white or pink, 2-4 mm; stamens 5, anther pink or lavender. Seeds 1-1.5 mm, tuberculate; elaiosome present. 2n = 22.

Flowering May-Aug. Wetlands, riverbanks and streamsides from low to high elevations of coastal valleys and mountains; 500-3700 m; B.C.; Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Iowa, Minn., Mont., Nev., N.Mex., N.Y., Oreg., Pa., Utah, Wash., Wyo.

A related species, Montia calcicola Standley & Steyermark, occurs in the Guatemalan highlands.