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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Claytonia perfoliata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
It is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by 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: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Synonyms
Claytonia perfoliata.
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers; Leaves; Root.
Edible Uses:
Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 5, 12, 27, 52, 62]. A fairly bland flavour with a mucilaginous texture, it is quite nice in a salad[183, K]. The young leaves are best[85], older leaves can turn bitter especially in the summer and if the plant is growing in a hot dry position[K]. Although individual leaves are fairly small, they are produced in abundance and are easily picked[K]. Stalks and flowers - raw[52]. A nice addition to the salad bowl[K]. Bulb - raw[5, 53, 62]. Although very small and labour-intensive to harvest, the boiled and peeled root has the flavour of chestnuts[244]. Another report says that the plant has a fibrous root system[62] so this report seems to be erroneous[K].
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.
Antirheumatic; Laxative.
The leaves are gently laxative[94]. Apart from its value as a nourishing vegetable that is rich in vitamin C, it can also be taken as an invigorating spring tonic and an effective diuretic[254]. A poultice of the mashed plants has been applied to rheumatic joints[257].
Other Uses
Although only an annual, this species makes an excellent ground cover in a cool acid soil under trees. In such a position it usually self-sows freely[208] and grows all year round[K].
Cultivation details
Prefers a moist peaty soil[1, 60]. It is often found growing wild on sandy soils[264]. An easily grown plant, it can succeed on very poor and dry soils[52, 60]. Plants grow well the dappled shade of trees, producing a better quality crop in such a situation[52, 60, 264]. Although only an annual[208], it usually self-sows when well sited. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -15°c. Miner's lettuce is occasionally cultivated as a salad plant[1, 46]. It's main value is as a reliable producer of leaves in the winter, though it can provide leaves all year round[141, 200, 264]. It can be grown as a cut and come again crop[183].
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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
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.
May be weedy or invasive.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Edibility Rating | Medicinal Rating |
| Claytonia acutifolia | Bering Sea Spring Beauty | 3 | 0 |
| Claytonia caroliniana | Broad-Leaved Spring Beauty, Carolina springbeauty | 3 | 0 |
| Claytonia exigua | Pale Spring Beauty, Serpentine springbeauty | 2 | 0 |
| Claytonia lanceolata | Lanceleaf Spring Beauty, Idaho springbeauty, Pacific springbeauty, Peirson's springbeauty | 3 | 0 |
| Claytonia megarhiza | Alpine Spring Beauty | 3 | 0 |
| Claytonia scammaniana | Scamman's Claytonia, Scamman's springbeauty | 2 | 0 |
| Claytonia sibirica | Pink Purslane, Siberian springbeauty | 4 | 1 |
| Claytonia tuberosa | Tuberous Spring Beauty | 3 | 0 |
| Claytonia umbellata | Great Basin Spring Beauty | 2 | 0 |
| Claytonia virginica | Spring Beauty, Virginia springbeauty, Hammond's claytonia, Yellow Virginia springbeauty | 3 | 1 |
| Osmunda claytoniana | Interrupted Fern | 2 | 1 |
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Expert comment
Author
Donn. ex Willd.
Botanical References
1760270
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment