Micranthes micranthidifolia aka Branch Lettuce

Micranthes micranthidifolia belongs to the saxifrage family, Saxifragaceae. It is a perennial: it lives for more than two years. It comes from the eastern United States. It grows in regions with a temperate climate. People call it mountain lettuce or lettuceleaf saxifrage. Its old scientific name is Saxifraga micranthidifolia. The RHS lists this as a synonym, or another name. This ties old food-use records to the name now in use. The plant is not native to Britain or Ireland.

Plants For A Future gives its height as about 3.3 feet [1 metre]. The records do not state its spread at full size. Nor do they describe its leaves in detail. In the wild, it grows by mountain brooks. It also grows on wet rocks and damp banks. These mountain sites keep it close to water. The sources do not say how it looks in winter. They give no details of how its stems form.

The plant flowers from May through June. Each flower has both male and female organs. The evidence for this species gives no flower colour or shape. It does not describe the fruit, either. Nor does it name what pollinates the flowers. The RHS gives a broad account of the genus. That account cannot show how this one species looks. Thus, the records tell us only a little about its flowers.

Plants For A Future lists sun or part shade. It says the plant prefers moist soil. It lists sand, loam and clay as suitable soils. The pH range runs from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. The source lists garden beds as a place to grow it. It says little is known about growing this species. Its guess at British hardiness rests on the native range. It gives no firm hardiness zone. Its rock-garden notes cover the genus, not proven needs of this species.

The leaves have a recorded use as food, raw or cooked. Plants For A Future notes local use in salads. It also records their use as cooked greens, including with ramps. The source reports no known hazards. This does not mean full safety tests have taken place. It lists no known uses as medicine or for other purposes. It does not flag the plant as weedy. The evidence gives no pest or disease details for this species.