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Claytonia sibirica - L.

Common Name Pink Purslane, Siberian springbeauty
Family Portulacaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Damp woods, shaded streamsides etc, especially on sandy acid soils[17, 50]. Thickets of red alder, dogwood, vine-leaf maple, moist shaded coniferous forests from sea level to 2000 metres[270].
Range E. Asia - Siberia. Western N. America - Alaska to California. Naturalized in Britain.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Claytonia sibirica Pink Purslane, Siberian springbeauty


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund
Claytonia sibirica Pink Purslane, Siberian springbeauty

 

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Summary

Note: Montia sibirica is a synonym of Claytonia sibirica.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Claytonia sibirica is an evergreen Annual/Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to July, and the seeds ripen from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Claytonia alsinoides. C. sibirica.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 62, 183]. They usually have a fairly bland flavour and are quite nice in a salad or cooked as a green vegetable. The leaves have a distinct earthy after-taste rather like raw beetroot[K]. They are available all year round but can turn rather bitter in the summer, especially if the plant is growing in a hot dry position[K]. Although on the small side, the leaves are produced in abundance and are very easily harvested[K].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidandruff  Diuretic  Ophthalmic  Poultice

The plant is diuretic[257]. A poultice of the chewed leaves has been applied to cuts and sores[257]. The juice of the plant has been used as eye drops for sore red eyes[257]. A cold infusion of the stems has been used as an antidandruff wash for the hair[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

A good ground cover plant for a shady position[208]. This species is a short-lived perennial but it usually self-sows freely and gives a dense weed-excluding ground cover[K].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it prefers a moist peaty soil[1] and is unhappy in dry situations[K]. It succeeds in full sun[200] though is happier when given some shade and also grows in the dense shade of beech trees[88]. Plants usually self-sow freely[200, K]. This is an excellent and trouble-free salad plant. It is extremely cold-hardy and can provide edible leaves all year round in all areas of the country even if it is not given protection[K]. Montia sibirica (L.) Howell is a synonym of Claytonia sibirica L. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. A clumping mat former. Forming a dense prostrate carpet spreading indefinitely [1-2]. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. The seed usually germinates rapidly.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Claytonia acutifoliaBering Sea Spring BeautyPerennial0.2 -  LMNM30 
Claytonia carolinianaBroad-Leaved Spring Beauty, Carolina springbeautyPerennial0.1 5-9  LMNM301
Claytonia exiguaPale Spring Beauty, Serpentine springbeautyAnnual0.1 0-0  LMHFSNDM20 
Claytonia lanceolataLanceleaf Spring Beauty, Idaho springbeauty, Pacific springbeauty, Peirson's springbeautyPerennial0.2 4-8  LMNM30 
Claytonia megarhizaAlpine Spring BeautyPerennial0.2 4-8  LMNM30 
Claytonia perfoliataMiner's LettuceAnnual0.2 6-10  LMHFSNDM412
Claytonia scammanianaScamman's Claytonia, Scamman's springbeautyPerennial0.2 0-0  LMNM20 
Claytonia tuberosaTuberous Spring BeautyPerennial0.2 4-8  LMNM30 
Claytonia umbellataGreat Basin Spring BeautyPerennial0.2 -  LMNM20 
Claytonia virginicaSpring Beauty, Virginia springbeauty, Hammond's claytonia, Yellow Virginia springbeautyPerennial0.2 5-7 MLMSM31 
Osmunda claytonianaInterrupted FernFern0.5 3-7  LMHSNMWe21 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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