Alpine spring beauty, Thick-rooted spring beauty
Claytonia megarrhiza
Family: Montiaceae
What it is like
A herb. It has a thick rootstock. The stems are 10 cm tall. A small spray of leaves and flowers comes from the top of the rootstock. The leaves are spoon shaped. The flowers are 12-20 mm across.
It is a rare plant. They have also been put in the family Portulacaceae.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows high in the Rocky Mountains in western North America. It grows on talus and scree slopes. It suits hardiness zones 5-7.
Countries/locations it is found in
Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The long fleshy taproot is peeled then boiled or baked then eaten. The young leaves and flowering tops are eaten raw in salads or cooked as a potherb.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, roots
How it is grown
It can be grown from seeds.