Plants Pacific Northwest

Montia Sibirica: Siberian miners lettuce

Note: These plants can be dangerous if improperly used. The author, and/or ernestartist.org assume no liability for experimentation of use.

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Montia Sibirica: Siberian miners lettuce.

Siberian miner's lettuce is very abundant in the coastal mountains from Alaska to California. It is small, from five to ten inches tall, and hides in undergrowth and is easily overlooked in a jumble of green.

Of all edible plants, miner's lettuce stands out as one of the most palatable. Named for its use by miners of the California gold rush, the leaves and stems of this group of p;ants taste almost identical to lettuce and are excellent in sandwiches and salads. Unlike other wild edible plants, miner's lettuce do not grow tough and bitter with age, rather the whole plant stays tender throughout its life cycle.