Claytonia megarhiza aka Alpine Springbeauty

Claytonia megarhiza, or alpine spring beauty, belongs to the Montiaceae family. This small evergreen perennial comes from western North America. Its range includes the Rocky Mountains and parts of western Canada. It also reaches several western states beyond the Rockies. Wild plants grow in rock cracks, scree, and gravelly slopes. These mountain sites lie at 6,560–13,120 feet [2,000–4,000 metres].

The plant forms a low mat of fleshy leaf rosettes. Its spoon-shaped leaves stay green through the year. Shorter leaves stand more upright at each rosette's centre. The RHS describes plants about 0.16 feet [0.05 metres] tall. Its size guide allows up to 0.33 feet [0.1 metres]. Spread also reaches about 0.33 feet [0.1 metres]. A thickened crown, called a caudex, tops a deep taproot. This root anchors the plant within rocky ground. The RHS describes its garden life as short.

Clusters of cup-shaped flowers open in early summer. Their colour ranges from pale pink to deep pink. The blooms sit among the upright central leaves. They supply nectar and pollen during the brief alpine season. Small pollinators active at high elevations use these resources. The plant also helps hold sparse alpine soils in place. Its deep roots help it persist in harsh mountain sites.

Grow it in full sun with shelter from exposure. Use gritty soil rich in humus, with very free drainage. It accepts acidic, neutral, and alkaline soils. Keep excess winter rain from soaking its roots. An alpine house or scree bed suits these needs. Rock gardens and containers offer other planting options. The RHS gives hardiness as H6; PFAF lists USDA zones 2–8. Plants reach full size in about two to five years. Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn. No pruning is needed. The RHS reports few pest or disease problems.

PFAF lists the flowers, leaves, and roots as edible. Its account highlights the starchy caudex as the main food part. Leaf harvests give only small amounts of food. Digging out the crown is hard in rocky cracks. Harvest can also harm fragile alpine ground for many years. Any collection must be legal and limited to abundant plants. PFAF reports no known hazards and no known medicinal uses.