Plant Details

Claytonia sibirica syn. Montia sibirica

Pink Purslane

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Claytonia sibirica syn. Montia sibirica.

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Common names

3 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Pink Purslane
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Winterpostelein
French
  • Claytonie de Sibérie
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Claytonia sibirica syn. Montia sibirica
Accepted name (Kew): Claytonia sibirica View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Montiaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Claytonia (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Pink Purslane

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Ground cover
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.20 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 3-7
Soil moisture:
Moist, Well-drained
Soil:
Sand (light) Clay (heavy) Loam (medium)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun, Shade

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
Ground cover

Description

Leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked. They usually have a fairly neutral taste, which becomes more pronounced when cooked. They are also a nice addition to salads. The leaves have a slightly earthy aftertaste, similar to raw beets. They are available year-round, but in the summer they can be a bit more bitter, especially if the plant grows in a hot, dry spot. Although the leaves are on the small side, they are produced abundantly and are easy to harvest.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/04
Harvest ends: 31/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Claytonia sibirica L., name ID 2725259, row 773899; Montia sibirica (L.) Howell, name ID 2508950, row 1347702
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1347613; name ID 2724990; Claytonia L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.