Day 206: Siberian Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia sibirica) is native to the Pacific Northwest and can be found in the moist lowlands to the mid-elevations west of the Cascade crest. The leaf is fleshy and edible, and was consumed by early settlers as a tangy salad green, hence the common name. The term "edible" comes with a caution: consumption of large quantities over time can lead to development of kidney stones, owing to the presence of oxalic acid in the leaves, but browsing a few while hiking is not likely to cause future issues. In fact, the tart, puckery taste can be a good thirst-quencher or an unusual garnish laid atop a green salad. Miner's Lettuce (both C. sibirica and C. perfoliata) are present in abundance in western Washington.
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