This wonderful little plant is called "miner's lettuce." In 1849, during the California gold rush, it helped keep the miner's from starving. After a harsh winter without many vegetables and greens it may have been the only thing that kept many of them from getting scurvy. The leaves are highly nutritious with lots of vitimin C. They remind me a lot of spinach with how thick the leaves are. A very tasty addition to a salad, if your fortunate enough to have some in your area. It has a slightly nutty flavor, like a sunflower seed. When it just starts to flower is the easiest time to spot it. That happens very late in the winter and early spring. The west coast in North America is it's native habitat. From Baja California all the way to British Columbia, it grows in woodlands and pastures. It seems to like moist shady areas without much disturbance. I've never had much luck cultivating it in the garden, but it grows wild everywhere else in the yard. Claytonia Perfoliata is the botanical name in case you want to look for seeds or more information. Please don't ever eat any wild food or mushrooms unless you are 100% sure it is edible. Having an expert in your local area as a guide would be ideal. I'm sure the native tribes of California showed the miners this type of lettuce. Either that or hunger drove them to try it. Anytime I'm hiking in the woods I will forage on it. My mother taught me when I was a child what was edible and what was poisonous. Gardening and foraging are a undervalued long term survial technique, in my opinion. I've been avidly saving seeds for around twenty years now. The dollar store had a couple types of radishes I added to my stash today. Hopefully you guy's have some tasty wild food in your area. Can't wait till the summertime and the blackberries are in season. Maybe I'll get to see my first bear this year. They love the berries too. In the mean time I'll just munch on some of this amazing Miner's Lettuce. As always upvotes, resteems, and every follower is appreciated.
