Chickweed
Culinary referenceChickweed has paired, pointed leaves and no disc.
Culinary reference
Miner's lettuce.
Claytonia perfoliata
Also found as Winter purslane · Claytonia
A tender spring green with round leaves that wrap fully around the stem, topped by tiny white flowers.
Sources checked 27 September 2026 · Specialist field review pending
Before any gathering or use
Contains some oxalate; eat in normal salad amounts.
Where it grows
Tracked records and known growing zone
- Verified records
- 27,463
- People who recorded it
- 12,950
- Most records (northern hemisphere)
- Mar–Apr
- Records span
- 1995–2026
| January | 1314 |
|---|---|
| February | 2972 |
| March | 6781 |
| April | 9993 |
| May | 4190 |
| June | 832 |
| July | 152 |
| August | 30 |
| September | 30 |
| October | 51 |
| November | 105 |
| December | 345 |
Research-grade iNaturalist records, snapshot Aug 27, 2026. The growing zone combines areas where different people have repeatedly verified it. Records show where people looked and found it, not current abundance or permission to gather.
01 / Learn to see
Field marks
- 01
Basal leaves on long stalks, spoon- to heart-shaped.
- 02
Upper leaves fused into a round disc that the flowering stem pierces.
- 03
Tiny white to pink five-petaled flowers above the disc.
These are study prompts, not a complete identification key. Confirm the full plant with a regional flora and an experienced local identifier.
02 / Resolve the differences
Look closely. Compare.
Selected comparisons only. Other lookalikes may occur locally.
03 / Meet the place
Habitat & season
Range context
Native to western North America; introduced in Europe, Australia and elsewhere.
Watch the plant stage
Cool, moist months from late winter to spring.
Stage guidance is not a local forecast. Check your climate, elevation and a regional source; no month-shift formula is used here.
04 / Gather with care
Documented use & care
Parts discussed: Leaf · Stem · Flower
Eat leaves raw in salads or lightly wilted.
Care for the patch
Clip leaves and leave roots so patches return next season.
Preparation & storage essentials05 / Follow the evidence
Sources & review
- Wikipedia · Claytonia perfoliataBotanical description, range and documented use
- iNaturalist · Claytonia perfoliataTaxonomy and verified observation records
Checked 27 September 2026. Original editorial synthesis; source institutions have not reviewed or endorsed this guide. Independent botanical field review is pending. Photos illustrate specimens; they do not certify the identity of a plant you find.
Suggest a correction