Montia parvifolia, commonly known as little-leaf miner’s lettuce, is a perennial herb native to moist, shaded forest floors and stream banks in the mountainous regions of western North America, ranging from Alaska to California and eastward to Montana. It typically grows to about 16 inches in height and spreads through leafy stolons. This plant is characterized by its fleshy, oval to round leaves that can reach up to 2 inches in length, and its flower stems that produce clusters of small, star-shaped flowers with 5 pink or white petals, each petal up to 1 inch long, blooming from late winter to early spring.

Little-leaf miner’s lettuce is valued for its edible qualities, as both the leaves and flowers can be consumed raw in salads or cooked as greens. It is also appreciated for its ease of maintenance and ability to thrive in moist, shady conditions, making it suitable for woodland gardens, native plant gardens, or as a ground cover. In cultivation, it prefers consistently moist soil, partial to full shade, and cool temperatures. While generally free from serious pests and diseases, it can be prone to slugs in very wet conditions. This plant is not known for being invasive and is considered a beneficial addition to naturalized areas.CC BY-SA 4.0