1. Miner’s Lettuce – Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata & mexicana
(klay-TOH-nee-uh per-foh-lee-AY-tuh mex-i-KAY-na.)
Family: Portulacaceae (Purslane Family)
Native to: Western U.S. to Baja, often in coastal areas, but also in deserts; common in seasonally
moist, often shady or disturbed sites.
herbaceous annual
mature height: to 1 ft.
mature width: 1 ft.
Numerous fleshy stems from base. Leaves surround the stem (interesting shape) and foliage is an
attractive green to red-green color. Young leaves and stems can be eaten raw or cooked – a
gourmet winter salad green. Leaves can be picked through winter/spring; will produce new leaves
until days get too long.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms Feb-June. Flowers small, white, in clusters above leaves.
black seeds in papery capsules that explode open to spread seeds.
Blooms/fruits:
Many small
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a ground cover in moist, shady areas of garden.
also do well in winter salad garden with lettuce, spinach, etc.
suitable for bogs and water gardens, pond edges.
Would
Fine in containers if kept moist.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native annual groundcovers; lettuce & other greens.
Attracts: Seed-eating birds (such as doves) enjoy the seeds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to full shade; best in partial sun and does well under trees.
Any pH, texture; does particularly well in sandy soils
Winter/spring water; can extend summer growth with water. OK at edges of
watered lawns.
Low needs; no added fertilizer
Management:
Very easy to grow.
Will reseed on bare ground – sometimes too much so.
Gophers like roots.
Propagation: from seed: easy. Best if sown in prepared soil in fall.
Will germinate in short days
of fall/winter.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 5, 10, 13
11/26/10
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