Tuberous spring beauty
Claytonia tuberosa
Family: Montiaceae
What it is like
A herb that keeps growing from year to year. The tuberous root is 1-3 cm across. The tubers are small and deeply buried. The stems are 15-25 cm long. It is similar to Claytonia virginica. Each stem has one pair of narrow opposite leaves. There is also 1-3 thin stalked leaves near the base. The flowers are in groups of 2-7 at the top of the shoots. Each flower has 5 white petals.
They have also been put in the family Portulacaceae.
Where it is found
It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in Kamchatka and eastern Siberia. In Alaska it grows in alpine regions in marshy, wet places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Arctic, Canada, North America, Russia, Siberia, USA
How it is used for food
The tubers are eaten raw. It can be eaten alone or with seal oil. It is also added to soup. They are mostly cooked and eaten in stews. The leaves near the base are eaten raw or cooked along with other greens.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, root
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Eskimo potato, Oatkuk, Ul'kik, Ulqiq