Claytonia perfoliata, or Miners lettuce, is an annual herb in the Montiaceae family that inhabits natural plant communities, agricultural land, and urban areas, and has a preference for cool, damp soil conditions, though can also grow in river silt, gravel, and even road tar (Matthews 2016).C. perfoliata typically grows in clearings, such as areas recovering from wildfire, meadows, and forest clearings.C. perfoliata which blooms annually in the spring, is native to North America, and is found in California (except for the lower desert areas), Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, and in the southern region of British Columbia, and prefers the middle elevations of the mountains in these regions (Matthews 2016).C. perfoliata is abundant in these areas, and is not of any conservation concern.There are three subspecies of C. perfoliata: C. perfoliata ssp. perfoliata, the most prevalent subspecies which is mostly present in the Pacific Northwest, C. perfoliata ssp. mexicana, which is present mostly in Arizona and Southern California, and Claytonia perfoliata ssp. intermonata, which is prevalent across the Western US (Flora of North America 2017).
As a seedling, Miners lettuce forms a narrow stalk with bright green, blade-like leaves.As it grows, Miners lettuce forms a basal rosette of narrow green tubes of 20-50 cm with no layer of outer protective bark (Flora of North America 2016).These stems spread outwards and also grow erect.The basal leaves of this wildflower are green and cordate (heart-shaped), and grow from petioles on the plant’s stem.The subspecies C.perfoliata has leaves shaped like footballs (ovate), while subspecies C. perfoliata ssp. mexicana has more triangular, pointy leaves (cordate).A distinguishing feature of C. perfoliata is its circular cauline (leaf (leaves that grow on the top of the plant stem) perfoliate leaves, which seem to be pierced by the stem.These leaves can grow to be around 50 mm in diameter, forming a cuplike bract beneath the flower. The flowers of Miners Lettuce grow 1-8 cm above this circular cauline, and are typically white, though they are sometimes pink.These flowers have two sepals ranging from 1.5-4 mm and are typically around 3-10 mm across, sometimes growing as individual flowers, and sometimes as small clusters.Each plant can have anywhere from five to forty individual flowers (Flora of North America 2016).C. perfoliata reproduces by seed (UC IPM 2016).The tiny, black, three-valved fruit of this plant contains 1-3 seeds of approximately 2-3 mm in length.The basal and cauline leaves of this plant have been traditionally used as an herb and in salads by Native Americans and American pioneers, giving it its distinctive common name.Other common names for this herb are Indian-lettuce and Winter purslane (Matthews 2016).
Claytonia perfoliata, commonly known as miner's lettuce, Indian lettuce, or winter purslane, is a flowering plant in the family Montiaceae. It is an edible, fleshy, herbaceous, annual plant native to the western mountain and coastal regions of North America.
Claytonia perfoliata is a tender rosette-forming plant that grows to some 30 centimetres (12 inches) in height,[2] but mature plants can be as short as 1 cm (3⁄8 in). The cotyledons are usually bright green (rarely purplish- or brownish-green), succulent, long and narrow. The first true leaves form a rosette at the base of the plant, and are 0.5 to 4 cm (1⁄4 to 1+5⁄8 in) long, with a typically long petiole (exceptionally up to 20 cm or 8 in long).
The small pink or white flowers have five petals 2 to 6 millimetres (1⁄16 to 1⁄4 in) long. The flowers appear from February to May or June and are grouped 5–40 together. The flowers grow above a pair of leaves that are connected together around the stem so as to appear as a single circular leaf. Mature plants form a rosette; they have numerous erect to spreading stems that branch from the base.
C. perfoliata is common in the springtime, and prefers a cool, damp environment. The plant first appears in sunlit areas after the first heavy rains of the year, though the best stands are found in shaded areas, especially in the uplands, into early summer. As the days get hotter and drier, the leaves turn a deep red color as they dry out.
The basal leaves are petiolate and cordate.
The cauline leaves are perfoliate.
Close-up of flower
Together with two other Claytonia species, Claytonia parviflora and C. rubra, C. perfoliata comprises what is almost certainly a polyploid pillar complex,[3] which is based on three diploid species.[4] Two key studies on the population ecology and genetics of the C. perfoliata complex were published in 2012.[3][5]
There are three well-studied geographical subspecies of C. perfoliata:[4]
C. perfoliata is called 'piyada̠' in the Western Mono language and 'palsingat' in Ivilyuat — two Native American languages of California[6] or 'rooreh' in (Ohlone language)[7]
The species is native to Mexico and western north America as far north as British Columbia.[8]
It has been introduced into and is widely naturalized in western Europe, Argentina and New Zealand[8] It was introduced to Europe in the 18th century, possibly by the naturalist Archibald Menzies, who brought it to Kew Gardens in London in 1794.[9][10] It was first recorded in the wild in Britain in South Hampshire in 1849 and is still spreading.[11] As of 2019 sightings of this plant have been found as far inland as Arkansas.[12]
The common name of miner's lettuce refers to how the plant was used by miners during the California Gold Rush, who ate it to prevent scurvy.[13][14][15] It is in season in April and May, and can be eaten as a leaf vegetable.[16] The entire plant is edible, except the roots, and it provides vitamin C.[17] Most commonly, it is eaten raw in salads, but it is not quite as delicate as cultivated lettuce. Sometimes, it is boiled like spinach, which it resembles in taste and chemical composition. Caution should be used because wild C. perfoliata can sometimes accumulate toxic amounts of soluble oxalates (also present in spinach).[18]
The plant is known as palsingat or, possibly, lahchumeek in Ivilyuat and it was eaten fresh or boiled as a green by the Ivilyuqaletem (Cahuilla) of Southern California. It, along with Claytonia exigua, is available for gathering in the early spring.[19]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) Claytonia perfoliata, commonly known as miner's lettuce, Indian lettuce, or winter purslane, is a flowering plant in the family Montiaceae. It is an edible, fleshy, herbaceous, annual plant native to the western mountain and coastal regions of North America.
