Photo at
right shows the basal leaves and spreading stems and stem leaves of Montia
parvifolia from High Rock, south of Mt. Hood, Mt. Hood N.F.....June 25,
1994.
Little-leaf montia is a perennial with succulent leaves in a basal tuft or rosette with numerous spreading ore erect stems to 25 cm. The plants may spread via runners (stolons) in much the same way strawberries do. The basal leaves are obovate to oblanceolate and range from 1-3 cm in length. The stems bear several alternate leaves, which are similar to the basal leaves but reduced in size and narrower. The inflorescence is an axilary raceme of 3-8 rather showy flowers. The 5 petals are light to deep pink or white with pink venation, and they range from 7-15 mm long. There are 2 sepals of unequal length, which are 2-3 mm long, and 5 stamens.
Little-leaf montia is found on wet soils, especially along streams, but also on moist rocky slopes or ledges.
Little-leaf montia may be found from coastal Alaska south along the coastal mountains and Cascades to Monterey County, California, and east to the Rocky Mts. of Montana, Idaho, and Utah.
