The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: spring-beauty, Virginia springbeauty, eastern spring beauty

Family: Portulacaceae (purslane family)

Distribution: c. and e. North America

Hardiness: USDA Zone 3

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: True to name, spring-beauty is one of the surest signs that spring has arrived! It is a much-beloved wildflower for its cheery clusters of star-shaped flowers. The flowers range in color from white to pink with pink stripes on the petals and pink anthers; they will open up on warm, sunny days and close when the weather is cloudy or at night. Plants typically bloom in April throughout woodlands, meadows, and prairies. The underground tubers have a chestnut-like flavor and used to be consumed by early Americans. Bees and some butterflies are visiting pollinators to this plant.