Cuban Spinach, Heesch, the Netherlands

Found this growing in our garden today, whilst not having planted it. It has an interesting shape where the flower seems to pierce the leaf. I've read that in reality these are two individual leafs that grow merged.

comments (6)

Christine Young

Lion

Nice! I love miner's lettuce! It grows really easily, is good for you, and tastes good in a salad. Did you try it/keep it growing? Posted 5 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Didn't try it yet. What should I do? Will it grow bigger than this? Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    It will probably grow to 30 cm, more or less. They grow best in shady, moist places and if the leaves turn reddish, it means they are stressed/too hot/in too much sun.
    
    I'm pretty sure it will reseed itself and grow back next spring as long as you leave enough of the flowers. The whole plant is edible, but the terminal (top leaves) taste best...you just pinch them off and can take the stem too if you want. Just be careful not to pull up the root system because it is shallow. Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Oh, and it's good raw in a salad, on a sandwich, or cooked like spinach. Posted 5 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks! It's in the shade currently yet on a patch where I put seeds for all kinds of flowers, so it needs to go. It's currently at about 10cm, will eat it later. Posted 5 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Well, you could always relocate it, if you have another suitable spot. If not, eating it is the perfect solution. Posted 5 years ago

The Miner's Lettuce

''Claytonia perfoliata'' is a fleshy annual plant native to the western mountain and coastal regions of North America from southernmost Alaska and central British Columbia south to Central America, but most common in California in the Sacramento and northern San Joaquin valleys.

Info 3 0

Similar species: Pinks, Cactuses, And Allies

Species identified by Ferdy Christant