Claytonia perfoliata, commonly known as miner's lettuce, winter purslane, or Indian lettuce, is a fleshy, annual herbaceous plant in the family Montiaceae. It is native to the western mountain and coastal regions of North America, stretching from Alaska and British Columbia down through California and into Central America. The genus name Claytonia honors John Clayton, an early British-born botanist who collected plants in colonial Virginia, while the species epithet perfoliata is a botanical term meaning "through the leaf," accurately describing how the flowering stem appears to pierce directly through the center of its upper leaves. Historically, the plant earned its most famous common name during the California Gold Rush, when miners consumed it in large quantities to prevent scurvy, a debilitating disease caused by a severe lack of Vitamin C.

The plant is a distinctive spring ephemeral characterized by its rosette of succulent, heart-shaped basal leaves on long petioles. As it matures, it develops a highly unique structure where a pair of opposite leaves fuse completely around the stem, forming a continuous, saucer-like disc. From the exact center of this circular leaf structure, a small raceme of tiny, five-petaled white or pale pink flowers emerges. Miner's lettuce thrives in cool, moist, and shaded environments, frequently carpeting forest floors, stream banks, and disturbed agricultural soils under coastal redwoods or oak woodlands. Its seeds are small, glossy black, and are naturally dispersed by ants, allowing it to quickly colonize receptive microhabitats.

Miner's lettuce is a highly regarded wild green celebrated for its incredibly crisp, tender texture and a mild, clean flavor that carries a subtle, earthy sweetness reminiscent of sweet spinach or corn salad. In modern gastronomy, it has transitioned from a historical survival food to a sought-after luxury component in farm-to-table restaurants and artisan salad mixes. The entire above-ground plant—including the stems, fused leaves, and delicate flowers—is edible and is best consumed fresh and raw to preserve its snap. It can also be lightly steamed or sautéed as a potherb, boiled like spinach, or utilized as a nutritious garnish for savory dishes.

Nutritionally, Claytonia perfoliata is exceptionally dense in Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which underpins its historical use as an anti-scorbutic remedy. It is also a rich source of Vitamin A (as beta-carotene), iron, and essential minerals, while remaining remarkably low in calories. Its biochemical matrix contains notable amounts of oxalic acid, a compound common to many leafy greens that contributes a very faint tang but means it should be consumed in moderation by individuals prone to kidney stones. Additionally, the plant accumulates high levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids relative to other terrestrial vegetables, alongside various antioxidant flavonoids that help protect cells from oxidative stress.