# botanical help wanted **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 8, 2003, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257 "2003-04-08T06:29:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Alan\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a698b9/32.png) [@Alan\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Q)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/1 "2003-04-08T06:29:04Z")
An interesting new plant has sprung up in my parent’s back yard, and no-one in the neighborhood has a clue. I’ve got the proverbial black thumb, and wouldn’t even know how to start a 'net search for it. To start, we’re in the high desert, and this little goomer seems to want to grow near downspouts and water taps, so I would guess it’s some kind of succulent. So far, they haven’t gotten more than about 4" tall x 4in wide with multiple stems coming from a common root. The leaves are dark green, almost circular, about 3/4 inch across (so far) and the stem comes through the center, like a little lily pad. Where the stem comes through, a little cluster of buds is producing a star-shaped blossom not more than 1/4 in across; five leafed, pale lilac colored at the tips much darker purple towards the center, where the central structure (pistils? stamens?) seems fairly detailed–more detailed than these middle-aged eyes can make out anyway. Dad was generically calling them “weeds”, and had his hoe in hand, but Mom and I staved him off until we could get further info. They are quite pretty, does this sound like something anyone’s heard of? –Alan Q ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/2 "2003-04-08T06:34:50Z")
Photos? You can post them for free on [Boomspeed](http://www.boomspeed.com). ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/3 "2003-04-08T07:06:06Z")
I’d be happy to attempt to key it out if I had some detailed photos. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/4 "2003-04-08T07:45:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Alan Q \* > **The leaves are dark green, almost circular, about 3/4 inch across (so far) and the stem comes through the center, like a little lily pad.** A good start is that leaves where the stem appears to run(like [this[/url) through are called _perfoliate_. Often this will be reflected in the specific name. [url="http://www.clunet.edu/wf/chap/flowers/fwr-789.htm]_Oxytheca perfoliata_](http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/tfplab/veg41.jpg) (not a very good picture), the saucer plant, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/5 "2003-04-08T07:47:16Z")
Bother, lets try that again: A good start is that leaves where the stem appears to run(like [this](http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/tfplab/veg41.jpg)) through are called _perfoliate_. Often this will be reflected in the specific name. [_Oxytheca perfoliata_](http://www.clunet.edu/wf/chap/flowers/fwr-789.htm) (not a very good picture), the saucer plant, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a698b9/32.png) [@Alan\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Q)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/6 "2003-04-09T22:55:35Z")
Q.E.D.– Thanks for the tip about “BoomSpeed”, but I guess I put if off too late–not having access to a digital camera with a macro lens, I put a physical sample through my flatbed scanner and came up with a fairly decent image. Alas, when I checked the BoomSpeed site, this is what I found: “Due to the overwhelming popularity of [BoomSpeed.Com](http://BoomSpeed.Com) hosting, As well as the mis-use of the free accounts, we have been forced to temporarily disable new user signups.” Today I got a couple of regional Wildflower & Weed field guides from that amazing new source called “the library”, and if worst comes to worst, I might even go so far as to check in with the County Extention Agent–I think Hank Kimball is still in Hooterville, but you never know! Mangetout–“perfoliate” at least gives me a term to look for, thanks. –Alan Q ---
**Author:** ![MercyStreet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@MercyStreet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MercyStreet)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/7 "2003-04-09T23:14:09Z")
Alan, you can take your question to the local Cooperative Extension Service, operated through public land-grant universities in each state. The services operate a Master Gardeners help line, and the volunteers are equipped with all kinds of references. They can identify your plant for no charge. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a698b9/32.png) [@Alan\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Q)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/8 "2003-04-09T23:35:08Z")
Thanks MercyStreet– That’s the same as the County Agent I spoke of: and they’ve been as helpful over the 'phone as they could–of course, they want a sample, but since I’m on shanks mare at the moment, I consolidate my trips, so I haven’t gotten over there yet (the library’s only two blocks away). One more note for Mangetout: those picture links for perfoliates are exactly what I meant. I did, however, in the OP forget to mention that the base of the plant has spade shaped leaves that are decidedly traditional–but still have that shiny, succulent look; like a cover for “Sunset” magazine. –Alan Q ---
**Author:** ![InTransit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47774/32.png) [@InTransit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InTransit)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/9 "2003-04-09T23:41:55Z")
Alan Q - I don’t know if your plant is a native, but it could be (or not). If your location is correct, you may be able to consult with your native plant society at: [http://heritage.nv.gov/nnps.htm](http://heritage.nv.gov/nnps.htm) They have some links to plant pictures and organizations that may identify your mystery plant. The botany department of your local university would likely know more information, especially if it’s a non-native plant you are dealing with. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a698b9/32.png) [@Alan\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Q)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/10 "2003-04-10T00:13:44Z")
InTransit: Great link, thanks–I’ve got it bookmarked, and I haven’t even finished searching it yet, mainly because the English name for “Antennaria soliceps” had me giggling like a schoolboy and thinking of the worst of the 007 movies! Actually, I’ve seen that plant a lot out in the hills, I always thought it was just a variant of our old reliable sagebrush–I can’t wait to casually name-drop it on the first available camping trip! –Alan Q ---
**Author:** ![InTransit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47774/32.png) [@InTransit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InTransit)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/11 "2003-04-10T01:06:21Z")
Alan Q, you can name-drop, but only if you can keep a straight face when you say it! I’m curious about your plant now - I hope you’ll come back and let us know. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/12 "2003-04-10T12:14:43Z")
Here is a picture of the plant emailed to me by **Alan Q**. The non-plant item in the picture is a guitar pick (plectrum) included for scale. Some of what I said above is inaccurate; I was under the impression that there were multiple leaves ‘threaded’ on a single stem, but this does not appear to be the case. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/13 "2003-04-10T12:16:16Z")
I suspect that the ‘leaves’ from which the flowers are not actually true leaves at all, but bracts or petioles or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![MercyStreet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@MercyStreet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MercyStreet)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/14 "2003-04-10T12:48:51Z")
Alan Q, I just had a good lesson in “Read the whole post before raising your hand and saying, ‘Oooooo! Me! Me! Me! I know! Me!’” ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/15 "2003-04-10T17:32:16Z")
This could be a species of violet (genus viola). Here is a web site with pictures of various types of violets: [http://2bnthewild.com/plants/H53.htm](http://2bnthewild.com/plants/H53.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/16 "2003-04-10T18:55:18Z")
It looks more like something in the Polygonaceae (sorrels, docks, buckwheat) to me. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a698b9/32.png) [@Alan\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Q)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/17 "2003-04-10T21:32:27Z")
Folks, I think we have a winner! Thank you all for your suggestions; even negative results narrow down the search! Special thanks to Mangetout for putting up my scan. Also, never forget that curious institution called the Public Library! May I have the envelope please? (drumroll) and the winner is– “Miner’s Lettuce” aka Claytonia perfoliata, and more bonus points for Mangetout re: the “perfoliate” nomenclature. Google has lots of links w/pics, and if there’s anything closer, I haven’t seen it. It’s supposed to be edible, but I think I will take a sample to the County Agent before I make a salad, just to be sure. Thanks again for the help & education, –Alan Q ---
**Author:** ![Foolonthehill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Foolonthehill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foolonthehill)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/18 "2003-04-10T21:59:20Z")
AlanQ; doubtful it is miner’s lettuce, as lettuce usually has two leaves under flower cluster. I think Mangeout got it right; my wife is a UC Master Gardner and she thinks it is a sorrell of some sort. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/19 "2003-04-10T22:04:36Z")
Miner’s lettuce is not lettuce. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257/20 "2003-04-10T22:09:27Z")
I think it is Claytonia. [![](https://nafoku.de/rff/bc/photo/clayper0.jpg) ](https://nafoku.de/rff/bc/photo/clayper0.jpg) [http://www.futurefoods.com/Graphics/claytonia.jpg](http://www.futurefoods.com/Graphics/claytonia.jpg) I’m kicking myself about this because Claytonia is one of the plants I considered but dismissed. Portulacaceae, not Polygonaceae, ah well. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanical-help-wanted/167257.md?page=2)