Claytonia ( spring beauty) is a genus of native to Asia, North America, and Central America. The vitamin-rich leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and the Tuber can be prepared like potatoes.
Description
The plants are somewhat fleshy and only a few centimeters in height. The
are about in diameter.
Taxonomy
The genus was formerly included in the purslane family (
Portulacaceae),
[ but with the adoption of the APG IV system, in 2009 it was moved to the family Montiaceae.][ A number of the species were formerly treated in the related genus Montia. A comprehensive scientific study of Claytonia was published in 2006.][Miller, J. M. and K. L. Chambers. 2006. Systematics of Claytonia (Portulacaceae). Systematic Botany Monographs 78: 1-234. ]
Species
, Kew's Plants of the World Online lists 33 accepted species:[
]
Etymology
The genus is named after John Clayton, who collected specimens of various plants in North America and distributed them to botanists in Europe.[Information page John Clayton herbarium at Natural History Museum, London UK. It reports that the genus name Claytonia was originated by Johan Frederik Gronovius (died 1762) in recognition that Gronovius had received the relevant specimens from John Clayton (died 1773).]
Distribution and habitat
The genus is primarily native to the mountain chains of Asia and North America. In the Old World, it is distributed northwest to Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and eastern Russia.
Claytonia perfoliata, the species for which the term miner's lettuce was coined, is distributed throughout the Mountain West of North America in moist soils and prefers areas that have been recently disturbed.
Uses
The leaves of the spring beauty are rich in vitamins and can be eaten raw or cooked. The roots are in the form of which can be cooked and eaten like potatoes.
External links
