General:
Annual herb from a fibrous root; stems decumbent to erect, several, freely branching but tending to root at the nodes, 2-6 cm long.

Leaves:
Basal leaves lacking; stem leaves several, linear to more or less oblanceolate, alternate, 5-25 mm long, 0.5-1.5 mm wide.

Flowers:
Inflorescence of axillary clusters of 3-5 flowers from the axils of small membranous bracts opposite the leaves (the bracts often joined with the leaf base resembling a sheathing stipule), on recurved stalks 1-5 mm long; petals 2-5 (or lacking), white, 0.4-0.7 mm long; sepals 2, widely egg-shaped, 0.8-1.5 mm long; stamens 2 or 3.

Fruits:
Capsules, 3-valved; seeds 2-3, black, shiny, lens-shaped, 0.7-0.9 mm long.

Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Illustration Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Claytonia howellii (S. Watson) Piper
Maxia howellii (S. Watson) O. Nilss.