Plant Image
Flowers
Grapevine Canyon - Sue Smith


Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Claytonia perfoliata - miner's lettuce

Other Common Names: indian lettuce
Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub

Family: Portulacaceae


   
 
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Flowers
Grapevine Canyon
Sue Smith
Leaves
Grapevine Canyon
Sue Smith
Plant - spring
Grapevine Canyon
Sue Smith
Plants - spring
Grapevine Canyon
Sue Smith
Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native   Life Cycle: Annual or perennial
General Desc: Miner's lettuce branches from the base with stems growing to 14 inches. Most of the leaves are circular with small white flowers rising above the center. Historically, miner's lettuce was used as a salad plant by early settlers and Native Americans.
Identification notes: Annual forb with fleshy roots. Stems branch from the base, spreading to erect. Leaves basal in rosettes, and reddish tinged. Small pink or white flowers grow above a pair of leaves surrounding the stem and appearing as a single circular leaf.
Height: To 14 inches


Habitat

Habitat Description: Moist places in shade, along brooks and around springs.
Plant Communities: Riparian
Elevation: 2500 - 7500 feet


Flower Characteristics

Color: White to pink     Shape: Regular in elongated clusters     Tubular: N     Flowering Period: Feb - Jul
Description: Flowers are white to pinkish, to 1/4 inch wide, in a tiny raceme rising above the center of the circular leaf.


Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Dark green     Leaf Type: Simple     Leaf Shape: Round or oval     Leaf Margin: Smooth     Leaf Attachment: Whorl     Leaves Clasp: Y
Hairs: No     Spines: N
Leaf Description: The circular, flower-bearing leaves are dark green and fleshy to 2 inches wide. Other leaves are lance-shaped on narrow stalks. The circular stem leaf is actually two leaves grown together. As the common name indicates, the leaves are edible.


Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Fruits are tiny, three-valved capsules containing one to three seeds.
Seed Notes: Seeds are black to 1/5 inch, shiny and smooth.



  Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590
Version 8.0  
http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php  
Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022
Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson  
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