Miner's Lettuce
Claytonia perfoliata · Montiaceae
- Form
- Annual herb
- Height
- 2-12 in
- Sun
- Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Blooms
- Feb, Mar, Apr, May
- Habitat
- Oak Woodland · Riparian · Chaparral
🌿 California native
Quick facts
- Habitat: Oak Woodland, shaded Riparian edges, moist slopes
- Form / size: Tender winter annual, 2-12 in
- Sun: Part shade · Water: Winter/spring moisture
- Blooms: Late winter-spring · Pollinator value: Moderate
Description
A tender native annual with round, saucer-like leaves that wrap around the flowering stem. Tiny white to pinkish flowers rise from the center of the leaf disk.
Wildlife & pollinators
Small bees and flies visit the flowers. Tender leaves are browsed by wildlife.
Habitat & range
Moist shaded slopes, oak woodland, canyon bottoms, north-facing chaparral edges, and riparian shade.
In the garden
Good as a cool-season native edible/groundcover in shady native gardens. It disappears as weather dries and returns from seed if conditions suit it.
Propagation
From seed sown in fall. Let plants self-sow before they dry down.
Where to see it near you
- iNaturalist — observed in Southern California
- Shaded canyon trails, oak woodland, and moist spring slopes.
Problems
Dies back with heat, which is normal. Only eat plants when identification and site safety are certain.
Sources
Commonly confused with
🌿 Chickweed also tender and low, but miner's lettuce has the distinctive circular leaf around the flower stem.
🌿 Non-native winter weeds check the perfoliate round leaf and shaded native habitat.
