Claytonia perfoliata

Claytonia perfoliata

One of the most widely known edible greens is Miner's Lettuce. Famous for being used by California Gold Rush miner's to keep from getting scurvy, it is high in vitamin C and also protein. The latin name is either Claytonia perfoliata or Montia perfoliata, depending on the botanist and whether they care that this plant has fibrous roots, which along with the leaf shape distinguishes this plant from its cousin, Claytonia lanceolata, which has an edible tuberous root.

It is easy to recognize from the nearly round leaf with the stem going through the center and displaying small white flowers above or cradled in the leaf. Botanists actually consider this a pair of opposite leaves which have joined on both sides to completely wrap around the stem. There are also basal leaves without flowering stems, which are half-circle shaped with any corners rounded off.

Except for the small, fibrous roots, the entire plant is edible. The leaves, flowers and stems all taste mild and tender, although some of the older plants may have a tinge of bitterness. A good plant may have ten to twenty stems and leaves. It pulls away from the ground easily, and after discarding the root and any of the lowest leaves that are shriveled or dirty, the entire plant can be eaten. Instant salad! 

Miner's Lettuce is fresh flavored and crisp, and makes an excellent base leaf for a spring salad. Each plant has many leaves, so it is easy to collect enough for a large salad. the stems also taste good, so there is no need to try to discard them. Then you can add whatever other greens are around to give some additional flavor and variety. Onion flowers are one of my favorite additions, but you can also add violet leaves and flowers, spring beauty, glacier lily leaves, young false solomons seal leaves and flower buds, sweet cicely, etc, etc, etc.