Page authors: Don Knoke, David Giblin
Montia diffusa
spreading candyflower, branching montia
Specimens
Photos

Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Marin County, California.

Habitat: Moist woods at low elevation.

Flowers: April-July

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Annual

Conservation Status: Sensitive in Washington (WANHP)

Pollination: Bees, flies

Description:
General:

Low, spreading, diffusely-branched annual, up to 4 dm. broad and 2 dm. tall

Leaves:

Basal leaves few, the blade lanceolate to sub-orbicular, 1-2.5 cm. long, abruptly narrowed to a petiole 2-4 times as long; cauline leaves alternate, petiolate, not greatly reduced upward, lanceolate-rhombic, the lower ones with blades up to 5 cm. long.

Flowers:

Inflorescence of axillary racemes clustered toward the branch ends, the lower 1 or 2 of several flowers often from the axil of a leafy bract; sepals 2, 2-3 mm. long, unequal; petals usually 5, white or pink, 3-4 mm. long; stamens 5; style 1, stigmas 3, elongate.

Fruits:

Inflorescence of axillary racemes clustered toward the branch ends, the lower 1 or 2 of several flowers often from the axil of a leafy bract; sepals 2, 2-3 mm. long, unequal; petals usually 5, white or pink, 3-4 mm. long; stamens 5; style 1, stigmas 3, elongate.

Accepted Name:
Montia diffusa (Nutt.) Greene
Publication: Fl. Francisc. 181. 1891. 1891.

Synonyms & Misapplications:
Claytonia diffusa Nutt.
Limnalsine diffusa (Nutt.) Rydb.
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Montia diffusa in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database

WA Flora Checklist: Montia diffusa checklist entry

OregonFlora: Montia diffusa information

E-Flora BC: Montia diffusa atlas page

CalPhotos: Montia diffusa photos

19 photographs:
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