ExplorePlants

Miner'S Lettuce

claytonia perfoliata

Miner's Lettuce is a tasty green plant that grows in the wild! Kids love to munch on its crunchy leaves during outdoor adventures.

Habitat: It lives in shady forests, meadows, and along stream banks.

Appearance

The Miner'S Lettuce has bright green, fleshy leaves that are its most distinctive feature, forming a circular, cup-like disk around the stem. Tiny white or sometimes pinkish flowers with five petals emerge from the center of this unique leafy cup.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyMontiaceaeGenusClaytonia
Miner'S Lettuce
colorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badgedecomposer trait badgeforest trait badge
Miner'S Lettuce

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

0/5 · No known danger

Snaps

7

Interesting facts

Every part of the Miner's Lettuce plant, from root to flower, is safe to eat!

Indigenous peoples have harvested Miner's Lettuce for centuries as food and medicine!

Its round, cup-like leaves completely encircle the stem, making it look like the stem pierces the leaf!

It’s one of the first fresh greens to appear in spring, a welcome sight after winter!

Special abilities

Ability

Pioneer Power

Miner'S Lettuce can rapidly grow in disturbed areas, like recent burns or clearings, helping to re-establish plant life.

Ability

Water Storage

It has slightly succulent leaves that store water, helping it survive short dry periods in its moist habitats.

Ability

Integrated Leaves

Its unique fused leaves create a cup around the stem, which can help protect its delicate flowers from harsh conditions.

Measurements & details

Height
5-30 cm
Spread
5-15 cm
Flower Size
0.2-0.6 cm
Bloom Season
Spring to early summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Annual
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

ClaytoniaIndian LettuceMiner's Greens

Collections

Safety

Danger

0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Miner'S Lettuce?

The easiest way to identify Miner'S Lettuce is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is Miner'S Lettuce?

5-30 cm

How wide does Miner'S Lettuce spread?

5-15 cm

How big are the flowers on Miner'S Lettuce?

0.2-0.6 cm

When does Miner'S Lettuce bloom?

Spring to early summer

Is Miner'S Lettuce edible?

Yes

Is Miner'S Lettuce toxic?

None

What is Miner'S Lettuce's lifecycle?

Annual

Snap Map

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