Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliata
(c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliata is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by . Perfect round disk with stem passing through.
Miner's lettuce is a California native annual found in California Floristic Province in vernally moist, often shady or disturbed sites at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from January to May, this plant produces small white to pale pink flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with slender, soft stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms distinctive circular leaf structures that completely encircle the stem. Its basal leaves are elliptic to triangular with obtuse or acute tips, while the distinctive cauline leaves are generally round, creating a unique disk-like appearance around the stem. The plant's adaptability to disturbed and shaded environments makes it a common sight in California's springtime landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 19 species. Perfect round disk with stem passing through is diagnostic.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernally moist, often shady or disturbed sites
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Clara, Inyo, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Tulare, Madera, San Luis Obispo, El Dorado, Amador, Placer, Calaveras, Sacramento, Sierra, Nevada, Modoc, Marin, Fresno, Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Lassen, Napa, San Joaquin, San Francisco, Shasta, Solano, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Mariposa, Mendocino, Plumas, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Sutter, Tehama, Merced, San Benito, Stanislaus, Del Norte
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana, Utah, central Arizona
Bloom period
Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliata blooms Jan-May.
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 perfoliata subsp. perfoliata native to California?
Yes. Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliata bloom?
Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliata blooms Jan-May.
Where in California does Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliata grow?
Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliata occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliata belong to?
Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliata is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
What habitat does Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliata grow in?
Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliata grows in Vernally moist, often shady or disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.