Better Learning Through Botany

Exploring wetland ecology, scientific illustration, and native plants in the Pacific Northwest.

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Montiaceae

Montiaceae – Montia

Many in this newly established family were formerly found in the Portulaceae family until the APG III recently divided this group.[1] Including 14 genera with 230 species, members of the Montiaceae are primarily leaf-succulent herbaceous plants and shrubs found in a range of Pacific Northwest woodland, wetland, and riparian habitats.[2] Included here is Claytonia perfoliata (Miner’s Lettuce), which got its name by being used as an edible fresh green by 19th century Euro-American settlers and miners.[3] Easily recognized by two fused leaves wrapped around the stem to appear as a single circular structure from which the inflorescence perforates (thus the species name, perfoliata).[4]

Montia linearis – Narrowleaf MontiaMOLI.jpgSpecies Code:  MOLI

Growth Habit: Small, annual, herbaceous forb growing only 5 to 20 cm tall. Lopsided racemes of delicate, bell-shaped sepals hang from reddish stems with two sepals per calyx.

Leaves: Alternately arranged, linear, glaucous (almost succulent-like) leaves are 1½ to 5 cm long and usually only 1 mm wide.[5] 

Flowers: Tiny, terminal racemes are only 2 to 5 cm long, containing 5 to 12 flowers on each on a stalk. The flower’s distinguishable two sepals are 3 to 7 mm wide and oval shaped.[6] Five petals are somewhat unequal and range from white to pale pink. Flowers have three stamens.

Fruits: Montia linearis produces 3 to 4 mm long, 3-valved capsules. Seeds are smooth, black, shiny, and lens shaped.[7]

Ecology: Obligate Wetland Species (OBL), the only Montia in the Willamette Valley growing in standing water.[8]

Calandrinia ciliata – Red MaidsCACI.jpeg

 

 

 

[1] Simpson, M. Plant Systematics 2nd ed. Academic Press, Burlington, MA. 2010. 297.

[2] Simpson, M. Plant Systematics 2nd ed. Academic Press, Burlington, MA. 2010.

[3] Elpel, T. J., Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification. HOPS Press, 2004. 61

[4] Pojar, J., Mackinnon, A., Editors Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing, Vancouver, Canada. 2004.133

[5] Guard, J. (1995). Wetland Plants of Oregon and Washington. Lone Pine Publishing, Edmonton, Alberta. 104.

[6] Pojar, J., Mackinnon, A., Editors Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing, Vancouver, Canada. 2004.132

[7] Pojar, J., Mackinnon, A., Editors Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing, Vancouver, Canada. 2004.132

[8] City of Eugene, Seed Collection Maual, Montia linearis, 2009.

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Table of Contents

  • Menu
    • Home
    • Project Introduction
    • What Are Wetland Praires
    • Botanical Glossary
    • Illustrated Field Guide
      • Monocots
        • Forbs
          • Alismataceae
          • Amaryllidaceae
          • Asparagaceae
          • Iridaceae
          • Orchidaceae
          • Melanthiaceae – Death Camas
        • Grammanoids
          • Cyperaceae
          • Juncaceae
          • Poaceae
          • Typhaceae – Cattail Family
      • Dicots
        • Herbaceous
          • Apiaceae
          • Apocynaceae
          • Asteraceae
          • Boraginaceae
          • Brassicaceae
          • Campanulaceae
          • Caryophyllaceae
          • Fabaceae
          • Geraniaceae – Geranium Family
          • Lamiaceae – Mint Family
          • Malvaceae
          • Montiaceae
          • Onagraceae
          • Plantaginaceae
          • Polemoniaceae
          • Polygonaceae
          • Ranunculaceae
          • Rosaceae
          • Rubiaceae
          • Saxifragaceae – Saxifrag Family
          • Valerianaceae
        • Woody Plants
          • Oleaceae
          • Rosaceae
          • Salicaceae
      • Other
        • Equisetaceae
        • Isoetaceae
    • About the Author
    • Contact

Resources

  • Bridgham Lab at University of Oregon
  • Cal Flora
  • Cascadia Prairie Oak Partnership
  • City of Eugene Wetlands
  • City of Portland Weed ID Guide
  • Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
  • Current Plant Nomenclature
  • Institute for Applied Ecology
  • Ladybird Johnson Native Plant Center
  • Mount Pisgah Arboretum
  • Native American Ethnobotany Database
  • Native Community History of the Eugene Area
  • Native Plant Society Oregon
  • Oregon Flora Project
  • Oregon Flora Image Project
  • The Plant List
  • PNW Weed Identification Module
  • Practical Guidelines for Wetland Prairie Restoration
  • Roy Lab at University of Oregon
  • UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History
  • USDA Plants Database
  • University of Oregon Environmental Studies Program
  • Willow Creek Nature Conservancy Preserve
  • Willamette Resources & Education Network
  • Willamette Valley Native Plant Materials Network

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