Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis
Photo: parent species Claytonia parviflora · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by . Free linear stem leaves distinguish from disk-leaved relatives.
Miner's lettuce is a California native annual found in the southern Sierra Nevada, southern Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, eastern Sierra Nevada, and desert mountains in shrub and woodland habitats at elevations of 100 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate white flowers 2 to 3.5 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems up to 20 centimeters tall, it has distinctive linear to diamond-shaped leaves that are often curved and spreading. Its cauline leaves are free or partially fused on one side, typically thin and elongated, creating a unique botanical profile. Small seeds approximately 1.2 to 1.5 millimeters long complete the plant's compact growth pattern.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 15 species. Free linear stem leaves distinguish from disk-leaved relatives.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shrub- or woodland, dry or not; decomposed granite, sandstone rock crevices, boulder fields
Elevation: 100-2000 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Ventura, Lake, Fresno, Inyo, San Benito, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Colusa, Santa Cruz
Outside California: to Nevada, Arizona, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Montia: Claytonia has just 2 stem leaves opposite or fused; Montia has multiple stem leaves arranged alternately.; vs Stellaria: Claytonia has 2 broad stem leaves and 5 petals; Stellaria has many narrow opposite leaves and deeply notched petals.; vs Hydrocotyle: Claytonia has 5-petaled flowers above paired stem leaves; Hydrocotyle has round shield-like leaves and tiny flower clusters.; vs Lewisia: Claytonia has thin leaves on upright stems in moist areas; Lewisia forms succulent rosettes on rocky cliffs.; vs Dichondra: Claytonia has upright stems with 5-petaled flowers; Dichondra is a creeping plant with kidney-shaped leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis native to California?
Yes. Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis bloom?
Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis grow?
Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of 100-2000 m.
What plant family does Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis belong to?
Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
What habitat does Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis grow in?
Claytonia parviflora subsp. viridis grows in Shrub- or woodland, dry or not; decomposed granite, sandstone rock crevices, boulder fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Claytonia peirsonii — Peirson's spring beauty
- Claytonia peirsonii subsp. bernardinus — San bernardino spring beauty
- Claytonia peirsonii subsp. californacis — Furnace spring beauty
- Claytonia peirsonii subsp. peirsonii — Peirson's spring beauty
- Claytonia peirsonii subsp. yorkii — York's spring beauty
- Claytonia perfoliata — Rooreh
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.