I’m very interested in Claytonia virginica as a perennial crop plant and working with it to improve the tuber size.
I’ve only found it mentioned here within other conversations so I’m making this to have one discussion around anyone already working with it or any potential sources for already selected and improved populations.
I’m currently keeping an eye out for any local populations near me. I know I have seen the flowers before but was not aware of it’s potential as a crop plant.
I’m really surprised this is not being used more.
It seems like the exact type plant to find somewhere like Cultivariable.
So far I have not found anyone working with it and not even anyone selling tubers, only seeds.
There’s a lot of videos on it but this is the one that I recently watched and inspired me:
The part where he talks about identifying the plants with larger tubers and the potential for improvement is especially interesting.
I’ve had other Claytonia species on my wish list for a number of years without luck getting seed on my side of the pond. I grow C. perfoliata and C. sibirica. The latter one is reliably perennial for me or at least creates permanent populations in good spots (they seem to like moist soil with organic matter as well as some shade to not have too much competition).
The relationships between the species are taxonomically unclear and the whole genus is both plastic (in movement) and with lots of genetic diversity within species. I’m not sure where C. virginica is placed in the genus, but I would go look for closely related species for possible crosses. Claytonia tuberosa could be one such example. Claytonia caroliniana is supposed to darker and more purple roots with a more refined taste than virginica.
I’ve been interested in using Claytonia species as a “vernal dam” - recirculating nutrients over winter and early spring, so they don’t go to waste.
I’ve used Tommy Stoughton’s website as a reference for learning more about this genus: https://claytonia.org
I bought some caroliniana online since those don’t grow in my area. Will have to wait til next spring to see how they do, the tubers got a little squished in shipping. Hopefully they survive.
@malterod , Claytonia sibirica seems like a very interesting hardy species to try in my zone 3 Canadian climate. Does Claytonia sibirica develop harvestable tubers, even if they are small? I can only locate references to its edible leaves - No mention about roots/tubers related to this species.
Hi Wordna and welcome to the community. I hope you’ll stick around. In my experience with Claytonia sibirica it has never developed any tubers. It has an unusual root system in that the root first is a tiny string connecting the plant above ground to a root system that then suddenly branches out in small fibres. I repot a lot of these plants because I sell them in my nursery.
Thank you @malterod - I really appreciate you getting back to me.
Some Claytonia species seem to only develop tubers in their second or third year of maturity. Can you confirm whether you have experience with the root structure of older Claytonia sibirica?
Not older than a year (one full season). They’re small plants, so I don’t repot more than once. For digging plants that are in the ground, I haven’t been able to keep track of how old the plants are, because they are so intermixed and tend to self-sow. I’ve never seen any tubers though. In general with this genus, I wouldn’t be very sure about anything though.
Hopefully they survive.