Winter purslane

Winter purslane - Photo by S.Rae

Winter purslane is a small annual plant which originates from North America and which is used as a leaf vegetable. It is sometimes called Miner’s lettuce because during the California Gold Rush miners used to eat it as a source of vitamin C.

Names

Scientific
   Claytonia perfoliata
Synonym
   Montia perfoliata
English
   Indian lettuce
   Miner’s lettuce
   Spring beauty
   Winter purslane
Dutch
   Kleine winterpostelein
   Winterpostelein
German
   Gewöhnliches Tellerkraut
   Kuba-Spinat
   Postelein
   Winterportulak
   Winterpostelein
Italian
   Lattuga dei minatori
   Portulaca invernale

Taxonomy

Genus
   Claytonia
Family
   Montiaceae
Order
   Caryophyllales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

North America

Distribution:

North America, Cuba, and western Europe (Engeland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany).

Annual, biennial, or perennial:

Winter purslane is an annual plant.

Flowers:

The plant has small pink or white flowers, which have five petals of 2 to 3 mm length. Flowers are grouped together above the leaves.

Leaves:

A pair of leaves grow together and are united together around the stem so it appears to be just one circular leaf.

Climate and weather:

Temperate climate.

Height:

Can be up to 40 cm tall, but often much smaller.

Spacing:

Rows about 10 cm apart.

Propagation:

Propagated from seeds.

Harvesting:

Pick the leaves by hand.

Uses:

The rather fleshy leaves of Winter purslane are used as a leaf vegetable. They are often eaten raw in salads or they are cooked like spinach.

Crop categories

Vegetables
Leaf vegetables
Food crops
Temperate crops

Pictures