Species Detail Forb

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
Flowers Grapevine Canyon - Sue Smith


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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 Legal Disclaimer