Western spring beauty, Lanceleaf spring beauty
Claytonia lanceolata
Family: Montiaceae
What it is like
A small herb. It grows 5-15 cm high. It has a corm 1 cm thick. The leaves at the base are usually about 2 and are oblong or sword shaped. The stems have 2 opposite leaves without stalks. They are broadly sword shaped. The flowers are at the end. There are a few flowers in a cluster. The petals are red coloured with purple veins. The fruit are 1 celled capsules with 3 valves.
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.
Countries/locations it is found in
Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The corms are eaten raw or cooked. The leaves can be eaten fresh or in salads. They can be cooked for 10-15 minutes and eaten as a vegetable.
It is eaten in large amounts.
Edible parts
Leaves, roots, corms
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Mountain potato