Water Blinks, Annual water minerslettuce
Montia fontana
Family: Portulacaceae
What it is like
Montia fontana is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to October, and the seeds ripen from June to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects, Cleistogomy (self-pollinating without flowers ever opening). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.
Height (m): 0.5
Where it is found
Streamsides, springs, flushes, wet places among rocks, moist pastures etc, especially on non-calcareous soils. It is also found in arable fields in S.W. England.
Temperate regions throughout the world, including Britain.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Leaves - raw. Fairly bland, they are quite nice in a salad. The leaves can turn bitter in summer, especially if the plant is growing in a hot dry position.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Prefers a moist peaty soil. A polymorphic species.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. The seed usually germinates rapidly.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Pond; Bog Garden;
Habit: Annual/Perennial
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist, wet, water