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Claytonia perfoliata (Miner's lettuce)
Pisapia, Robert J.

Claytonia perfoliata Donn ex Willd.

Miner's lettuce

Portulacaceae (Purslane Family)

USDA Symbol: CLPE

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A succulent plant with slender stems seeming to grow through middle of 1 circular leaf and topped by a raceme of tiny white flowers. Flowers are 1/8-1/4 (3-6 mm) wide; sepals 2; petals 5, from slightly longer to nearly twice as long as sepals.

The perfoliate leaves of this species are derived from opposite leaves that adjoin to form one leaf through which the stem of the inflorescence emerges. As the common names indicate, the leaves are edible. This species was once included in the genus, Montia.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf: Green
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NH , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: Alaska and British Columbia south to Baja California and east to Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
Native Habitat: Loose moist soil in shady places.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK (I?), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Claytonia perfoliata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Claytonia perfoliata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Claytonia perfoliata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-11-09
Research By: JAM

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