miner's lettuce
Definition
Noun: 1. A succulent herb sometimes used as a salad or cooking green: A low-growing, fleshy-leaved plant (Claytonia perfoliata, formerly Montia perfoliata) native to western North America. It is characterized by its round, disk-like leaves that appear to have the stem growing through their center. Historically, it was consumed by miners during the California Gold Rush as a source of vitamin C to prevent scurvy, which is the origin of its common name.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- For a foraged salad, we added some fresh miner's lettuce.
- The guide pointed out miner's lettuce growing in the shaded, damp soil.
- Its mild, slightly tangy flavor makes miner's lettuce a pleasant wild edible.
Advanced Usage
- As a historical reference: The term is often used in contexts discussing foraging, historical diets, or pioneer/Native American ethnobotany due to its documented use by 49ers during the Gold Rush.
- The exhibit explained how miner's lettuce was a crucial source of nutrition for early prospectors.
Variants and Related Words
- Winter Purslane: Another common name for the same plant (), referring to its season of growth and use as a leafy green.
- Claytonia: The botanical genus name, often used in more formal or scientific contexts.
- Indian lettuce: A related common name, referencing use by Indigenous peoples.
Synonyms
- Winter purslane
- Claytonia (scientific/genus name)
Related Phrases/Idioms
- None directly associated: The term "miner's lettuce" itself is a compound noun and does not commonly form phrasal verbs or idioms. Its usage is primarily literal, referring to the plant itself or its historical consumption.
Noun
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succulent herb sometimes grown as a salad or pot herb; grows on dunes and waste ground of Pacific coast of North America
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