Claytonia (Montia) perfoliata (Miner's Lettuce)

Photographs:

My photos:

I took this photo in the Riparian Oak Woodland of Bell Canyon, Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park, in January.

The photo below of the plant with flower buds was taken in March in San Diego County along the eastern edge of Camp Pendleton.

More photos:

Todd's Hiking Guide leaves with flower.
Wild Edibles flower (enlarged) and seeds.
UC IPM Weed Gallery seedling, flower, and mature plant.

click to enlarge photo

Plant Information

Portulacaceae

In the Garden:

This plant is considered a weed in California agriculture. It occurs in many crops and is most abundant in California's Sacramento and northern San Joaquin valleys. Tillage and crop competition often provide sufficient control. It prefers cool, damp conditons and dries up with the onset of hot spring weather.

In the Wild:

Miner's Lettuce typically grows in shady moist areas at altitudes between 2,500 and 7,500 feet. Leaves at the ends of the stalks are green and circular, rather like dichondra. A small, white flower grows from the center of the leaf of fully grown plants. Other leaves of the plant are more oblong in shape. Its flowers bloom between February and May. It ranges from Alaska to Mexico, California to South Dakota, and is also found in New Hampshire .

Ethnobotany:

Miner's Lettuce is related to purslane, another tasty wild edible. It was eaten raw when young or steamed when the plant was older, by the Native people of Southern California. Sometimes the shoot was used to play a game.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines
De Luz Road

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