Spring beauty, Cuban spinach, Petota, Miner's lettuce
Claytonia perfoliata

Family: Montiaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It grows each year from seed. It can grow 50 cm tall. It has a single stem and can be erect. The leaves are simple and in rings. They are broadly sword shaped. They can be up to 4 cm long. They have a long leaf stalk. The flowers are white or pink and have 5 parts. The flowers are in groups of 5-40.

Also put in the family Portulacaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is a temperate plant. It suits cool, damp conditions. It is best in a sunny position and dry soil. It suits a pH between 6 and 7. It needs a frost free period of 6 weeks. In Argentina it grows between 500-1,000 m above sea level. It can tolerate cold weather. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Canada, Central America, Central Europe, Cuba, Europe, Falklands, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, North America, Siberia, Slovenia, South America, Switzerland, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

Young leaves, stems and flowers are edible raw. Older leaves are cooked. Roots are also edible cooked. Caution: It can at times have high levels of oxalates.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, stems, flowers, roots, vegetable

How it is grown

It is grown from seed.

It is fast growing and short lived.

Its other names

Local names

Kubanska špinača, Miner’s lettuce, Winter purslane

Synonyms

Claytonia cubensis Bonpl.; Limnia angustifolia (Greene) Rydb.; Montia mexicana Rydb.; Montia perfoliata (Donn ex Willd.) Howell; and others