Miner's Lettuce

Miner's Lettuce, Bellevue, 4/12/11

      Miner's lettuce, Claytonia perfoliata, is a cute little plant that I currently have in my veggie starts on the picnic table.  The picture above is from my Bellevue garden, where I have this beautiful little specimen that was a volunteer from some soil that I transported from my home garden.  It sparingly self seeds, so I was delighted to spot this plant.  I certainly would not have known what it was had I not grown it two years ago for the first time. Also sometimes known as winter purslane, I purchased the seeds from Fedco Seeds Company because they have it listed as super cold hardy.  Interesting because the plants I had grown two years ago are not out back.
      Miner's lettuce has a very pleasant mild flavor, somewhat like chick weed if you are familiar with that one.  The plant supposedly got its common name during the gold rush when it was one of the few greens available, and so was important to ward off scurvy.  The flowers blooming right atop the leaves makes it almost too cute too eat, yet I pinch off a few leaves for instant enjoyment with each visit to the park.