Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Montia parvifolia is a species of flowering plant in the purslane family known by the common names littleleaf minerslettuce, small-leaved blinks and small-leafed montia. It is native to western North America from Alaska to California to Montana, where it grows in moist to wet areas in several types of mountain habitat. Montia parvifolia is a perennial herb growing erect to about 40 centimeters tall from a matted, branching caudex base. It spreads via leafy stolons with sprouting bulblets. The fleshy oval leaves are alternately arranged and measure up to 6 centimeters in length. The inflorescence at the tip of the stem bears 1 to 12 flowers each with five pink or white petals up to 1. 5 centimeters long. Montia parvifolia is a perennial herb growing erect to about 40 centimeters tall from a matted, branching caudex base. It spreads via leafy stolons with sprouting bulblets. The fleshy oval leaves are alternately arranged and measure up to 6 centimeters in length. The inflorescence at the tip of the stem bears 1 to 12 flowers each with five pink or white petals up to 1. 5 centimeters long.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Pink, White

Flowering season

Spring, Summer

Sun

Partial Shade

Water

Moderate, High

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Tolerates a variety of soils as long as adequate drainage is provided.

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 14, 15*, 16*, 17*

Site type

Moist, rocky slopes, cliffs, creekbanks

Plant communities

Douglas-Fir Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Red Fir Forest, Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 1 likely

Confirmed Likely

Enchoria lacteata