E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

Montia dichotoma (Nutt.) Howell
dwarf montia (dwarf minerslettuce)
Montiaceae (Purslane family)
(Previously in Portulacaceae)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

© Hans Roemer  Email the photographer   (Photo ID #26154)

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Distribution of Montia dichotoma
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Species Information

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General:
Annual herb from a fibrous root; stems ascending to erect, 1- to several, branching from the base, 2-5 (8) cm tall.
Leaves:
Basal leaves lacking; stem leaves linear, alternate, 6-20 mm long, 0.4-0.6 mm wide.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of small axillary racemes with 4-12 flowers on recurved stalks 2-4 mm long; petals 5, white, 1.5-2.5 mm long; sepals 2, 1.5-2.5 mm long; stamens usually 3.
Fruits:
Capsules, egg-shaped, 1.4-1.8 mm long; seeds usually 3, black, shiny, smooth, 0.8-1.2 mm long, appendage lacking.

Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Habitat / Range

Moist seepage sites in the lowland zone; infrequent on SE Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, infrequent in SC BC; S to ID, MT and CA.

Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Climate

The climate type for this species, as reported in the: "British Columbia plant species codes and selected attributes. Version 6 Database" (Meidinger et al. 2008), is not evaluated, unknown or variable.

Synonyms and Alternate Names

Claytonia dichotoma Nutt.
Montiastrum dichotomum (Nutt.) Rydb.

Taxonomic and Nomenclatural Links

Additional Photo Sources

General References