Miner's Lettuce

Habitat:

Native to the western mountain and coastal regions of North America from southernmost Alaska and central British Columbia south to Central America, but most common in California in the Sacramento and northern San Joaquin valleys. Prefers cool, damp, shady areas. I usually see this in the Sacramento area in very early spring, after our winter rains.

Notes:

EDIBLE WILD PLANT "The common name miner's lettuce refers to its use by California Gold Rush miners who ate it to get their vitamin C to prevent scurvy. It can be eaten as a leaf vegetable. Most commonly it is eaten raw in salads, but it is not quite as delicate as other lettuce. Sometimes it is boiled like spinach, which it resembles in taste."