Spring Beauty

Claytonia virginica — Montiaceae

Italiano: Bellezza primaverile — Spring beauty

Description

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) belongs to the Montiaceae family and is native to NAmerica. It thrives in Rich woods, Bottomlands environments across regions including Eastern USA. Botanically, Spring Beauty is tubers like small radishes. Leaves spinach. Spring ephemeral.. It is also known locally as Spring beauty. The edible parts include Tubers, Leaves. With an edibility rating of 7/10, it ranks as a good wild food source. Harvesting is best done during April, March and May. Nutritionally, Spring Beauty stands out for its Vitamin K (50.0mg, 42% DV), Vitamin A (80.0mg, 9% DV) and Vitamin C (5.0mg, 6% DV). It also provides 2.0g protein and 1.5g dietary fiber per 100g serving. In the kitchen, Spring Beauty offers a Radish-like nutty flavor profile. Raw tubers cooked leaves. Common culinary applications include raw tubers, cooked leaves. Popular preparations include Spring beauty tubers, Sauteed greens with garlic, Wild green pesto, Leafy green soup. For storage, fresh 3d. Safety note: No toxicity. Antinutrient content is saponins trace. Always verify identification with at least three independent botanical sources before consumption.

🌿 Foraging Tips

Where to find: Grows in Rich woods, Bottomlands across Eastern USA.

🍳 Recipe: Spring beauty tubers

Preparation method: Raw tubers cooked leaves
Flavor profile: Radish-like nutty
Edible parts: Tubers, Leaves

This is one of the traditional ways to prepare this wild edible plant. Always ensure proper plant identification before cooking.

When to harvest: Best months: Mar, Apr, May.
Lookalike (safe): No edible similar
⚠️ Lookalike (toxic): No poisonous
Tip: Always verify identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. When in doubt, do not eat it.

Edibility

7/10
Toxicity: No toxicity
Antinutrients: Saponins trace
Safe lookalikes: No edible similar
Dangerous: No poisonous

Harvest Calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Edible parts: tuberi, foglie
Preparation: Raw tubers cooked leaves
Flavor: Radish-like nutty

Nutrition (per 100g)

Protein: 2.0g
Fat: 0.2g
Fiber: 1.5g
Vitamin C: 5.0mg (5%DV)
Vitamin A: 80mcg (8%DV)
Vitamin E: 0.5mg (3%DV)
Vitamin K: 50mcg (41%DV)
Folate (B9): 10mcg (2%DV)
Calcium: 15.0mg (1%DV)
Iron: 0.3mg (1%DV)
Magnesium: 15mg (3%DV)
Potassium: 150mg (3%DV)
Zinc: 0.3mg (2%DV)

Culinary Uses: raw tubers, cooked leaves Storage: Fresh 3d

Recipes

  • Spring beauty tubers
  • Sauteed greens with garlic
  • Wild green pesto
  • Leafy green soup
  • Wild Spring Beauty salad
  • Foraged Spring Beauty pesto
  • Roasted Spring Beauty

Where It Grows

Continent: NAmerica
Regions: Eastern USA
Habitat: Rich woods, Bottomlands
⚠️
Important: Always verify plant identification before consumption. This content is for informational purposes only. Consult reliable sources and experts before eating any wild plant. Improper identification can be dangerous.

Related Plants

🌿 American Bladdernut🌿 Black-eyed Susan🌿 Bunchberry

Sources & References

Kew Plants of the World USDA PLANTS Wikipedia (EN)