claytonia

American  

[kley-toh-nee-uh] / kleɪˈtoʊ ni ə /

noun

1. any of the low, succulent plants constituting the genus Claytonia of the purslane family, having basal leaves and long clusters of white or rose-colored flowers.

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claytonia British  

/ kleɪˈtəʊnɪə /

noun

1. any low-growing North American succulent portulacaceous plant of the genus Claytonia

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Etymology

Origin of claytonia

< New Latin (Linnaeus), named after Dr. John Clayton (1693–1773), Virginia botanist; see -ia

Example Sentences

Red clover was opening in the valley below, and wild strawberries just ripening; on the summit the yellow birch was just hanging out its catkins, and the claytonia, or spring-beauty, was in bloom.

From In the Catskills Selections from the Writings of John Burroughs by Burroughs, John

A week later, the claytonia, or spring beauty, water-cress, violets, a low buttercup, vetch, corydalis, and potentilla appear.

From Wake-Robin by Burroughs, John

A week later, the claytonia or spring beauty, water-cress, violets, a low buttercup, vetch, corydalis, and potentilla appear.

From Wake-Robin by Burroughs, John

I have also found the claytonia and the coltsfoot first.

From The Writings of John Burroughs — Volume 05: Pepacton by Burroughs, John

I had never before stood amid blooming claytonia, a flower of April, and looked down upon a field that held ripening strawberries.

From In the Catskills Selections from the Writings of John Burroughs by Burroughs, John