Stems 6 to 12 inches long, ascending or decumbent from a deep, tuberous, perennial root. Leaves linear or linear-lanceolate, glabrous and somewhat fleshy, blunt or pointed, narrowed below into a petiole, the lower leaves 3 to 7 inches long, one-eighth to one-half of an inch wide, the two-stem leaves opposite and shorter. Flowers one-half to seven-eighths of an inch broad, white or pink with darker pink veins, in a loose terminal raceme, often becoming 3 to 6 inches long. Sepals two, ovate, persistent; petals five, emarginate; pedicels slender, becoming recurved.

In moist woods, Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan, south to Georgia, Montana and Texas. Flowering in early spring. More frequently found in low woodlands and along streams in the upper part of the State, and not so frequent as the next species except near the coast.

Memoir 15 N. Y. State Museum

Plate 51

A. Narrow-Leaved Spring Beauty - Claytonia virginica