Claytonia

Claytonia (spring beauty) is a genus of flowering plants native to Asia, North America, and Central America. The vitamin-rich leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and the tubers can be prepared like potatoes.

Claytonia
Claytonia virginica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Montiaceae
Genus: Claytonia
L.

Description

The plants are somewhat fleshy and only a few centimeters in height. The flower heads are about 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter.[1]

Taxonomy

The genus was formerly included in the purslane family (Portulacaceae),[2] but with the adoption of the APG IV system, in 2009 it was moved to the family Montiaceae.[3] A number of the species were formerly treated in the related genus Montia. A comprehensive scientific study of Claytonia was published in 2006.[4]

Species

As of January 2019, Kew's Plants of the World Online lists 33 accepted species:[3]

Etymology

The genus is named after John Clayton, who collected specimens of various plants in North America and distributed them to botanists in Europe.[5]

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.[2] It is found in most of the northern United States,[1] with some species located in Guatemala.

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 tubers which can be cooked and eaten like potatoes.[1][6]

References
  1. The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants. United States Department of the Army. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. 2009. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-60239-692-0. OCLC 277203364.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. Flora North America
  3. "Claytonia L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  4. Miller, J. M. and K. L. Chambers. 2006. Systematics of Claytonia (Portulacaceae). Systematic Botany Monographs 78: 1-234. ISBN 0-912861-78-9
  5. 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).
  6. Angier, Bradford (1974). Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books. p. 212. ISBN 0-8117-0616-8. OCLC 799792.
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