Little-leaf miner's lettuce facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little-leaf miner's lettuce |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Montia
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| Species: |
parvifolia
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Montia parvifolia is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Montiaceae family. People often call it little-leaf miner's lettuce. Other names are small-leaved blinks or small-leaved montia.
This plant grows naturally in western North America. You can find it from Alaska all the way down to California. It also grows in Montana. It likes to live in damp or wet places. These are usually found in mountain areas.
About This Plant
Montia parvifolia is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows straight up to about 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall.
The plant grows from a thick, branched base called a caudex. It also spreads using special stems called stolons. These stolons grow along the ground and can sprout new little plants called bulblets.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of Montia parvifolia are fleshy and oval-shaped. They are arranged one after another along the stem. Each leaf can be up to 6 centimeters (about 2.4 inches) long.
At the very top of the stem, you will find the flowers. This cluster of flowers is called an inflorescence. There can be anywhere from 1 to 12 flowers in each cluster. Each flower has five petals. These petals can be pink or white. They grow up to 1.5 centimeters (about 0.6 inches) long.
