Miner's Lettuce is known for its unique "circular" leaves and its historical role as a source of Vitamin C for Gold Rush prospectors. Typically, Miner's Lettuce grows between 5 cm to 30 cm (2 to 12 inches) tall.
The foliage of Miner's Lettuce is a vibrant green to deep emerald. In high-sun or dry conditions, the stems and leaves can sometimes take on a reddish or pinkish hue.
A striking feature of Miner's Lettuce is the pair of stem leaves that fuse together to form a perfectly circular disk surrounding the flower stem. It looks as though the stem has poked a hole right through the center of a round leaf!
This plant earned the name "Miner's Lettuce" because during the California Gold Rush, miners ate it to prevent scurvy. It is exceptionally high in Vitamin C.
Every part of the plant above ground—the stems, the circular leaves, and even the tiny flowers—is entirely edible and tastes remarkably like a mild, nutty spinach. But don't pick or eat it at Point Lobos! Everything within the Point Lobos Reserve is protected by law so that this beautiful place remains as wild, intact, and pristine as possible.
Photo by Don Blohowiak