Claytonia rubra subsp. depressa
Photo: parent species Claytonia rubra · (c) Daniel Patterson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Claytonia rubra subsp. depressa is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by . Elliptic basal leaves with wedge base distinctive.
Red miner's lettuce is a California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges, Klamath Ranges, northern central Coast, and San Francisco Bay Area in open, often disturbed scrub habitats at elevations below 2,500 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces small white to pale pink flowers. Growing with slender stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms delicate ground-hugging clusters. Its basal leaves are elliptic to obovate with a distinctive wedge-shaped base, while cauline leaves are uniquely fused along the stem. The plant's compact growth and tender leaves make it a characteristic species of California's coastal and mountain scrublands.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 16 species. Elliptic basal leaves with wedge base distinctive.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, often disturbed sites, scrub
Elevation: < 2500 m
California counties: San Diego, Siskiyou, Tulare, Sierra, Nevada, Mono, Mariposa, Lassen, Mendocino, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Lake, Modoc, Humboldt, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Del Norte, Fresno, San Benito, Calaveras, Sonoma
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana
Bloom period
Claytonia rubra subsp. depressa blooms Feb-Apr.
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 rubra subsp. depressa native to California?
Yes. Claytonia rubra subsp. depressa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Claytonia rubra subsp. depressa bloom?
Claytonia rubra subsp. depressa blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Claytonia rubra subsp. depressa grow?
Claytonia rubra subsp. depressa occurs in San Diego, Siskiyou, Tulare, Sierra, Nevada, Mono, Mariposa, Lassen and other counties, at elevations of < 2500 m.
What plant family does Claytonia rubra subsp. depressa belong to?
Claytonia rubra subsp. depressa is in the Montiaceae family, genus Claytonia.
What habitat does Claytonia rubra subsp. depressa grow in?
Claytonia rubra subsp. depressa grows in Open, often disturbed sites, scrub.
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.