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Claytonia perfoliata
Claytonia perfoliata Donn ex Willd.
Miner's Lettuce
Portulacaceae (Purslane Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: CLPE
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (I?), CAN (N)
A succulent plant with slender stems seeming to grow through middle of 1 circular leaf and topped by a raceme of tiny white to pinkish 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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Stems erect to decumbent, up to about 20 inches long.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NH , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WYCanada: 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.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesFind Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FAC | FACW | FACU | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Claytonia perfoliata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Claytonia perfoliata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Claytonia perfoliata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-02Research By: Joseph A. Marcus