Miner's Lettuce

Botanical name: Claytonia perfoliata

Life cycle: Annual

Height: 10-30 cm

Position: Part shade

Soil preference: Well drained / moist

Description

Miner’s lettuce, also known as ‘winter purslane’, is a cool weather annual growing between 10-30 cm in height. Leaves are borne at the end of short stalks followed by quantities of heart-shaped leaf pairs which completely encircle clusters of tiny white 5-petalled flowers when mature. The plant forms a mound from which the leaves can be harvested freely. Leaves are refreshingly crunchy and have a mild, succulent taste.

Miner’s lettuce most likely acquired its name during the Californian gold rush of 1849. It was a plentiful green readily available on the west coast of America. Its high vitamin C content kept scurvy among the miners at bay.

Uses

Miner’s lettuce is particularly useful for winter and early spring salads. High in vitamins A and C, calcium, omega 3, beta-carotene and protein, the leaves are nutritious and are pretty in salads or cooked like spinach. Succulent and crunchy, miner’s lettuce stays sweet and mild even after it flowers. In addition to its value as a salad vegetable, miner’s lettuce can be taken as an invigorating spring tonic and is an effective diuretic.

Growing conditions

Miner’s lettuce grows best in light sandy soil containing sufficient hummus to ensure moisture retention. While it can tolerate full sun, miner’s lettuce prefers semi-shade. Miner’s lettuce will tolerate light frosts, however dislikes waterlogged soil. Use built-up beds if drainage is a problem.

Leave a few plants to flower and go to seed to ensure plenty of self-sown seedlings will pop up the following year.

9cm pot.

Organically grown plant.