Water Blinks, Annual water minerslettuce

Montia fontana

Physical Characteristics

Montia fontana is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to October, and the seeds ripen from June to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects, Cleistogomy (self-pollinating without flowers ever opening). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

Distribution

Temperate regions throughout the world, including Britain.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Leaves - raw[46, 61, 177, 183]. Fairly bland, they are quite nice in a salad. The leaves can turn bitter in summer, especially if the plant is growing in a hot dry position.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known