Miner's Lettuce Seeds - (Claytonia perfoliata)

Miner's Lettuce - America's World-Class Salad Green

This native winter green rewards benign neglect with prolific harvests of delicious, pleasingly crunchy, mild-tasting leaves from late winter to mid- to late spring. Easily grown by scattering seeds, it is hardy, prefers moist soils, and will self-sow if planted in a dedicated bed.   

This crisp, mild, wonderful wild green has a flavor somewhere between a butter lettuce and spinach that makes a wonderful addition to mesclun mixes, salads and sandwiches. Leaves are medium sized yet abundant and easy to pick, remaining tender even in flower.

Commonly referred to as winter purslane in Europe, but is also known as Indian lettuce, spring beauty and miners green. 

History

Its name was earned from saving California Gold Rush miners from scurvy in their camps, and was considered such an important, reliable source of Vitamin C the British planted it in both Cuba and Australia after discovering it in Puget Sound, WA in 1792 by the great Scots naturalist Archibald Menzies.

Uses

Most often picked fresh and added to salads with a vinaigrette dressing, piled on sandwiches for a sprouts-like crunch, tucked into scrambled eggs, or anywhere its crisp, crunchy green perks up a winter or early spring dish. Can be cooked like spinach if desired.

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