Miner's Lettuce

Miner's lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) is an annual flowering plant native to regions of the west coast of North America. It is most often found in winter and early spring in shady spots associated with a wide variety of vegetation types, from coastal sage scrub and chaparral to oak woodland and pine forests. This plant can be found along the trail and the side of the Sausal Creek in places. The plant can grow about a foot tall and has tiny pink or white flowers growing in the center of a round leaf. Similar to Nasturtium, everything except the root of Miner's lettuce is edible. It makes a nice addition to a salad. California Gold Rush era miners ate this plant to prevent scurvy, giving the plant its common name. Local native peoples call this plant "Indian lettuce", using it both as a food and for topical medicinal uses.