Claytonia perfoliata subsp. intermontana

Family: Montiaceae · Type: annual · Native

Miner's lettuce subspecies is a California native annual herb found in the Klamath Ranges, Sierra Nevada, Great Basin, and eastern Mojave Desert in shrublands, woodlands, rock crevices, and boulder fields at elevations of 500 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers nestled within distinctive round, perfoliate leaves that completely encircle the stem. Growing with delicate, branching stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms low, spreading clusters across rocky and woodland landscapes. Its basal leaves are elliptical to diamond-shaped with rounded or slightly pointed tips, while the cauline leaves are uniquely circular, partially surrounding the stem in a distinctive botanical adaptation. The plant's variable chromosome count and adaptable growth pattern allow it to thrive in diverse high-elevation habitats across California.

Habitat: Shrubland, woodland, rock crevices, alluvial fans, boulder fields

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: 500-2000 m

Bioregions: KR, SN, GB, DMoj

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.