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Last update on August 9 , 2023
Before move to our new place , I used toforagefor Miner ’s lettuce out in wild spaces during the besotted months here on the Central Coast of California . It is one of my favourite aboriginal greens after all ! Fast forward to the first winter at our young homestead : imagine my glee to see an entirepasturefull of Miner ’s cabbage sprout up after our first good rain – right in my backyard . Score !
descend learn all about Miner ’s lolly . This article will learn you how to distinguish and glean ( or forage for ) Miner ’s lettuce , as well as briefly explore its account and origins , nutritional value , and several way you’re able to use or eat it . Even if it ’s not native and naturally - recover in your area , you cangrow Miner ’s dough at home ! This insensate - hardy , down - sustentation green is a grand addition to your wintertime garden .
What is Miner’s Lettuce?
Miner ’s Lettuce , botanically known asClaytonia perfoliata , is a nutritious and delicious wild comestible green . One could argue that it ’s more palatable than many naturalise greens ! Claytonia is commonly consumed smart in salads , though it can also be cooked . Thisannual herbaceous broadleaf flora get primarily in winter or former spring , following a good tear of rain . It ’s a rearing self - seeder and excellentedible ground back .
The plant ’s common name go out back to the mid-1800 ’s , when miner ate this Vitamin - C rich plant to help prevent scorbutus during the California gold rush . It is sometimes referred to as ‘ winter purslane ’ or ‘ Indian Lettuce ’ , and has been use by Indigenous peoples long before the gold spate geological era . It is also an important food source for aboriginal lamentation doves , California quail , and other seed - eat up birds . Ourbackyard chickenslove to eat it too !
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Where is Miner’s Lettuce native to?
Miner ’s Lettuce is native to theWestern United States and Canada . It develop of course throughout Washington , Oregon , and California , with the elision of elevations above 6600 feet or low desert areas . It can be found from British Columbia down to Central America and east into Arizona , Utah , Wyoming , and the Dakotas .
Though not native to these areas , Claytonia may also be found growing unwarranted in Ohio , Georgia , New Hampshire , Cuba , Europe , New Zealand , Australia and many other parts of the populace now . Due to it ’s pleasant-tasting and easy - going nature , this eatable “ pot ” has been on purpose circularize and naturalize far and all-encompassing .
Where does Miner’s Lettuce grow? (Where to forage for Miner’s lettuce)
Miner ’s lettuce grows most readily inshady , cool , moist area . In the West , it is especially common in riparian habitats , hillside , or as an understory works , growing as natural ground cover under trees in chaparrals , woodland and forests . Though it ’s made its way into agrarian lands , parks , vineyards and backyards too . It is often found rise in harmony with other savage winter green likestinging nettleand chickweed .
The best time to forage for Miner ’s loot is during thewinter and early springfollowing rainfall , as it quickly dries up when hot weather arrives . Although it is an one-year , Claytonia seeds will easy ego - sow and come back in favored locations twelvemonth after yr .
How to Identify Miner’s Lettuce
In matured form , Miner ’s lettuce resemblesmini lily pads , making the alone disc - like leaves easy to distinguish . The big ( secondary ) leave are round or slightly heart - shaped , altogether encircle the stem with bantam white to blench pink flowers in the centre . The plant has legion minuscule and less round ( basal ) leaves present before the orbitual ones variety . Young Claytonia come out as rosette of narrow green goddess - like leaves , gradually develop wide I as they mature . See the photo below of each stage .
Do n’t discombobulate Miner ’s lettuce with it ’s lookalike – dollarweed ! Unlike Claytonia , dollarweed grows clusters of small white flowers on separate stem from the leaves ( rather than in the center of the leaf itself ) .
What does Miner’s lettuce taste like?
Miner ’s lettuce is one of the most tasty idle comestible greens you ’ll ever test ! It has a verymild , sweet and earthy flavorreminiscent of spinach . It is pleasantly crisp , juicy and succulent , and remain tender even when in flower . old leaves may become bitter in warm summertime weather before the works fade away . All parts of Miner ’s lettuce are edible , include the long root , heyday , and roots ( though the roots are not as tasty as the unripened role ) .
Is Miner’s lettuce good for you?
Yes ! Miner ’s lettuce is highly nutritious . Loaded withvitamin C , it has been used for one C to forestall and treat scorbutus – a condition triggered by poor sustenance and vitamin C deficiency . It also contains gamy grade ofVitamin Aand a tidy amount ofiron , Ca , fibre , protein and all-important omega 3 fatty acids .
Like many leafy jet , it does containoxalates(aka oxalic window pane ) – a of course - occurring flora compound also found in bean , leguminous plant , almonds , beet , potatoes , and soy products . oxalate are considered gently toxic because they bind to Ca and can increase the risk of kidney stone in some people . Therefore , it is recommend to consume Claytonia in moderation , especially for folks with kidney disease .
Medicinal uses for Claytonia
Miner ’s lettuce has a comfort and cooling effect when usedtopically , akin to aloe vera gel . The leaves can be squash to create apoulticeto apply to burns , minor skin irritations , and stir up or painful rheumatic joints . Indigenous mass and herb doctor have been known tojuiceClaytonia leaves as a easy laxative , inspire spring tonic , or diuretic .
Growing Miner’s Lettuce in the Garden
Miner ’s lettuce is not the most well - known greenness among home plate gardeners , but it ’s gaining popularity – and justifiedly so ! It develop speedily , isfrost - tolerantandlow - maintenance , and can be harvested multiple times throughout the uprise season , offering a dainty steady supply of alimentary greens . Since Claytonia plants are fairly petite , it ’s a good idea to plant many of them .
Keep in psyche that Claytoniareadily self - cum . If you do not want volunteer plants to come back twelvemonth after year , reap the round leaves with flowers first ( those will eventually bring forth seeds).Thankfully , the small tender seedlings are well-to-do to remove if unwanted . On the other hand , allowing the small efflorescence to go to seed will ensure you ’ll always have it around!In increase to formal garden seam space , you could scatter Miner ’s gelt seed in a shadowed moist sphere of your yard , allowing it to produce less tamed as an edible winter soil cover .
Ideal growing conditions
Miner ’s lettuce is acool - time of year crop . I ’ve even seen it growing under nose candy ! Claytonia require systematically moist stain and protection from hot direct sun , grow mostly gayly in shade to fond spook . Therefore , it can be planted below or next to taller crops that will tender protection . It is n’t finical about land or plant food , though it flourish in loose soils good ( flaxen loam or peaty ) .
strewing ordirect - sowseeds about ¼ ” deep . Most cum packets will apprize you to slight seedling to4 to 6 inches apart , though Miner ’s shekels mature in a dull blanket in nature . you could also get down Miner ’s lettuce seeds indoors and graft seedling out . Unlike many vulgar garden veg , Claytonia preferscool soil to germinate(50 - 60 ° atomic number 9 ) . In fact , germination rate greatly declines when soil temperature climb over 65 ° F , so pass over the seedling heat mat !
When to plant Claytonia
For afall to wintertime harvest time , sow Miner ’s lolly seeds in August in Northern climates , and in September to October in Southern clime . Claytonia will maturate right through the wintertime in geographical zone 6 through 9 ! To produce Miner ’s gelt inspring , sow seed 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost day of the month when the soil temperatures are around 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit . Seeds should germinate within 4 to 14 days .
look for place to order Claytoniaseeds?Try the organic selection atHigh MowingSeeds – our favorite place to buy garden come !
How to Harvest Miner’s Lettuce
The best room to reap miner ’s scratch is topick single farewell and stem , leaving the rosette and roots to stay to grow sassy raw leaves for future crop the same season . ( That is , unless you ’re done with it for the season ) . This is especially important when forage for Miner ’s lettuce in unfounded environments , since over - harvesting and/or occupy the total plant by the roots will prevent it from reseeding for the following year .
take away a few leafage from each plant bypinchingthe radical of the stem ( do n’t pull up ) down near the soil . Always will behind a fistful of leaves on each works so it can continue to photosynthesize and originate . total back and glean more presently . Remember , the leaves , stem , and flowers are all edible !
Practice common mother wit andcautionwhen foragingfor Miner ’s lettuce . For example , flora rise alongside a meddling road or next to a commercial farm or golf course of action may be taint with pesticides or other contaminant . The best stake is to scrounge in born areas away from frequent human activity , and be sure to rinse it well before consuming !
For the most crisp bread , harvest time in themorningand avoid warm afternoons . After harvest home , storefresh Miner ’s lettuce in the refrigerator in a sealed container or bag for up to a hebdomad ( though it ’s best within a few days ) . impart a little splash of water or damp paper towel to keep maximum freshness . Be gentle as the leaf tend to offend easily .
The Best Ways to Eat Miner’s Lettuce
relish and rust Miner ’s lettuce like you would any other tender leafy viridity or sprout . The mild , sweet flavor allow it to immix right in with a change of dishes without being overpowering , similar to prickly-seeded spinach . It put up thebest grain when used raw and fresh , such as add to salad ( including mixed green salad , Timothy Miles Bindon Rice or pasta salads ) , on sandwiches , atop ‘ Buddha bowls ’ , or used as a garnish .
Claytonia is also great for cookery . render incorporating it into stir Roger Fry , soups , pasta dishes and more . you may also juice the new leaves , add them to smoothie , or expend them in pesto – which is a slap-up way to use up a stack at once ! Even more , you’re able to suspend the pesto , replicate as a way to preserve an specially big harvest home . Try our Besto Pesto recipe here . While the formula calls for traditional Basil of Caesarea , we often contribute or employ other greens like arugula , dough , leek greens , fava bean go forth – or genus Claytonia !
Now you know how to identify, grow and harvest Claytonia!
Are you ready to get out there and scrounge for Claytonia yourself ? I mean , who can say no to free intellectual nourishment – especially when it ’s this tasty and nutritious ? Even if you do n’t live in the wild west , do n’t let that stop you from attempt this unique green . I hope you learn something new today ! If you regain this information to be useful , please spread the uncivilized nutrient dearest by pin or deal this article . felicitous foraging !
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