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Post by richardw on Jan 24, 2017 11:59:42 GMT -5
Claytonia rubra was brought to NZ by the Chinese gold diggers back in the 18th century. These gold prospectors must have come from North America after the gold rush started to ease off because miner lettuce wouldn't have come from China. I was given seed many years ago and since growing it it has spread everywhere, even at our community hall some distances away it grows along the shady south side of the building and under many of the trees. But ive never noticed variegated or red leaves
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Post by richardw on Jan 24, 2017 12:24:50 GMT -5
Yes, Claytonia perfoliata is what ive got, dont they look alike though
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Post by farmermike on Jan 28, 2017 19:18:00 GMT -5
These Claytonia populations are descendants of those I planted in my parents' yard around 15 years ago. They are still growing strong in a few places. C. perfoliata C. parviflora Presumably some crosses between the two different species! These collections were all originally made just a few miles from where they are now growing. Around here the parviflora tends to grow on steep, sunny hillsides in rocky or disturbed soil with little competition. The perfoliata tends to grow on shady (at least in winter) north facing slopes or under the shade of old oak trees. I remembered, from years ago, that whenever I grew these 2 species together, I would quickly notice some intergradation. It is interesting to see that there are still pure patches of each, and some intermediates.
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Post by diane on Apr 2, 2017 21:21:05 GMT -5
C. perfoliata has just begun blooming here.
Pojar in Plants of Coastal British Columbia including Washington, Oregon and Alaska, wrote: "extremely variable in size, colour and shape of leaves, and size of flowers." The colours, though, are generally glaucous, and red is never mentioned.
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Post by farmermike on Apr 8, 2017 18:12:07 GMT -5
I'm curious how the miner's lettuce is progressing in California? Any seed yet? Yes, the miner's lettuce in my part of California is pretty much done flowering. I just saw the first ripe seeds in my garden last week. I think this year I'll actually try to collect some seeds to share around! Maybe next year I'll also start doing some selection towards a population that maximizes leaf production and is slow to bolt.
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Post by steev on May 31, 2017 1:44:43 GMT -5
Although Claytonia isn't very pleased with the climate on my farm, I do love it and will continue to try to naturalize it there, it being such a lovely salad green.
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