Water Blinks (Montia fontana)

Family: Portulacaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

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.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Leaves - raw. 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. — 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.

Habitat & North American Range

Streamsides, springs, flushes, wet places among rocks, moist pastures etc, especially on non-calcareous soils. It is also found in arable fields in S.W. England. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)