Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 7, 2009. Southern Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata mexicana) on the Red Car Property. (Click on photo to enlarge.)Southern Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata mexicana) is currently blooming on the shady slope below Adelbert and around the upper Red Car Viaduct Footings. It is an native plant with 1" to 3" bowl shaped, waxy leaves with a stalk of tiny white flowers growing through the center of the leaves. While edible, it has a bitter taste. It seems to thrive in rainy years on the northern end of the Red Car Property.
The grass is quickly overwhelming the Miner's Lettuce. However, if you look closely as you walk toward Fletcher, down the narrow footpath, just above the Viaduct Footings, you will see the distinctive plant.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 7, 2009. Southern Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata mexicana) on the Red Car Property. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
