Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, October 8, 2022

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 8, 2022 

CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 
A FAMILIAR NAME PLANT WITH A NEW NAME 


“Miners Lettuce” is now Indian Lettuce or Rooreh 

[Nyerges is an educator and the author of numerous books 
about the uses of wild plants. More information can be had 
at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com) 

Everyone in the West who studies wild plants – from Alaska 
to Baja – knows the plant commonly called Miner’s Lettuce. 
This plant is so distinctive that a botanical amateur 
can readily recognize it. The flower stalk develops a double 

leaf which looks like a cup, out of which the delicate flowers arise. It is very 
easy to recognize once in flower.
This was one of the very first wild foods that I learned to identify and use for 
food when I began my ethnobotanical studies in the early 1970s. 
The plant – known as Claytonia perfoliata by botanists – has a centuries-long 
tradition of being used as a food. It has a mild lettuce-like texture and flavor 
that make it great both in raw salad dishes and in cooked dishes. Ethnographic 
papers of the pre-Goldrush era referred to this plant as Indian lettuce, since 
the indigenous peoples all used this plant for food.
As you discover in the book “Ishi in Two Worlds” by Theodora Kroeber, once 
gold was discovered in California, miners flooded into the state in search 
of riches, overwhelming native people and often killing them in one-sided 
pitched battles. The fact that lone Ishi of the Yana, the last of his tribe, managed 
to come out of the wilderness in 1911 and appear in Oroville, California 
was a miracle of human persistence. 
Chinese peoples were there as well, and they too were pushed aside. The Chinese 
seemed to fare slightly better than the indigenous peoples, since they fought with both guns and legal 
means, but their numbers were still reduced dramatically by the Chinese Exclusionary Act of 1882, and local 
battles. 
The miners – mostly Irish – were frugal men who were intent on being enriched by gold. Once the miners 
learned about this humble “Indian lettuce” which was so common in the spring, they ate it whenever they 
could. They consumed it raw, and cooked like spinach. They ate it with fish, with meat, and in soup. And 
because it contained vitamin C, it helped prevent scurvy in the men whose diet was mostly meat and beans. 
And so, in the post-Gold Rush era, Claytonia perfoliata took on the name “Miner’s Lettuce” because of the miners 
voracious appetite for it, and it was a name that has stuck for the last 100+ years, despite the uncomfortable 
associations. 
Now, a movement is afoot to right the wrongs of the past, at least as it pertains to the name of this plant. Some 
native peoples are calling it by its post Gold Rush name, Indian Lettuce, or even by their local names. Some, 
like the Jepson manual (the official botanical manual for the state of California), are referring to it by its Ohlone 
name (the Ohlone reside in Northern California) of Ro-oreh. It’s pronounced “row-oh-ray,” which might take 
a bit of getting used to. I suspect that the name Indian Lettuce will take over as the term “Miner’s lettuce” is left 
in the dust. 
According to healer Enrique Villasenor, "While some people may see this name change as politically correct, 
this small but important step recognizes the important connection between California native plants and California's 
indigenous people. No one can change history, but we can do better going forward." 


In case some of you are unfamiliar with this spring plant, here are some keys to identifying it.
Indian lettuce is an annual which arises after the winter and spring rains. It is found mostly in wilderness areas. 
When there is more rain, there is more Indian lettuce, with larger leaves. The next plants often appear in mass 
patches, such as where there is shade in canyons or abundant moisture. The first small leaves are trapezoid-
shaped, delicate, and often water-spotted. The leaves which produce the flowers have the characteristic cup-
shaped leaf. Each root grows a cluster of stems, which is what gave rise to the idea that this was like a head of 
lettuce. However, Indian lettuce is not related at all to the traditional “Lactuca” lettuces. 

This is one of the very first wild foods that I learned to eat as a teenager. Once I spent nearly a week eating little 
more than Indian lettuce: with these leaves, I made soup, salad, mixed stew, and an egg dish. I have devoted a 
chapter to this wonderful plant in several of my books on the uses of wild foods.
The seeds of Claytonia perfoliata are sometimes found for sale at native plant nurseries. It is easy to cultivate as 
a garden plant when it’s in rich soil. The plant is an annual and it readily re-seeds. 

My one peeve about wildcrafters who collect this plant for food is that they needlessly uproot it. I have always 
been able to collect what I need by clipping the stems low, but leaving the root. This means that the plant has a 
chance to continue to grow after I have left, and perhaps even produce more seed. 


FAMILY MATTERS 

GUEST COLUMNIST APPEARING THIS WEEK: 

By Dr. Donna O’Shea, chief medical officer of population health, 

UnitedHealthcare 

FIVE STRATEGIES TO HELP AVOID UNEXPECTED MEDICAL BILLS 

Nearly everyone wants to save more money, including when it comes to paying 

for medical care. To help encourage that, various recent federal regulations have 
spurred a greater focus on health care cost transparency, both by hospitals and health plans. 

For instance, the No Surprises Act is designed to help reduce the likelihood of people receiving an unexpectedly 
large medical bill, something that more than half of Americans have experienced. Other recent 
regulations require hospitals to post prices online, while health insurers have been mandated to do the 
same. 

While these efforts offer important protections, there are various other ways to help avoid an unexpected 
medical bill. Here are five strategies to consider: 

Comparison shop based on quality and cost. Health plans are now required to publicly disclose contracted 
rates with health care providers and facilities, with additional requirements for more consumer-
friendly disclosures slated to start in 2023. Fortunately, some health plans already offer transparency 
resources featuring quality and cost information, available online, via a mobile app or through customer 
service. Before scheduling a medical appointment, check with your health plan to review quality and 
cost information, ideally for estimates based on actual contracted rates and customized based on your 
individual plan. 

Stay in-network. While the No Surprises Act helps reduce the chance you will be left with a big bill if an 
out-of-network provider is involved with your care, it’s important to always start with in-network health 
care professionals and facilities for nonemergency care. That includes when referred by a primary care 
physician to labs for bloodwork, imaging (e.g., MRIs) and other tests. To help reduce the risk of surprise 
charges, some health plans are proactively contacting members before they go out of network, sending a 
text message, emailing or calling to notify them about more affordable in-network options. 

Recognize remaining risks. Even with upfront research, there are still a few potential risks to be aware 
of. Many health plans cover preventive services, such as wellness visits, mammograms or colonoscopies. 
However, some advanced screenings may not be considered preventive services and can result in an out-
of-pocket charge. To help avoid that, confirm with your health plan that any services or tests are covered 
under your benefits, potentially working with your care provider to complete a preauthorization form 
in advance. 

Negotiate surprise bills. In the event of a surprise bill, talk with the support staff at the hospital or doctor’s 
office to request that the charge be waived 
or reduced. If needed, some health plans offer 
access to resolution support to help negotiate 
on behalf of members with hospitals and care 
providers. If you receive a surprise bill from an 
out-of-network care provider, call the number 
on the back of your insurance ID card to alert 
your health plan and check on assistance. 

Consider plans with upfront pricing. Rather 
than receiving medical care and then waiting 
for the bill to arrive weeks or months later, some 
new health plans enable members to review – 
and pay for – out-of-pocket expenses before 
medical care is delivered. The goal is to make 
navigating the health system simpler and more 
transparent, in part by eliminating deductibles 
and using clear pricing to encourage people to 
select quality, cost-efficient health care providers 
and facilities. 

In view of increasing price sensitivity due to 
rising inflation and other factors, considering 
these strategies may help contribute to your 
physical and financial well-being while reducing 
the risk of a surprise medical bill. 


And Then There’s MOCHA! 

The past two weeks you’ve 
met 4 of 5 siblings called, 
“The Coffee Clatch Kittens.” 
Last, but certainly not 
least, is adorable Mocha. 
Mocha is the cutest tortoiseshell 
(tortie) ever, and 
has the most interesting 
marking on her mouth fur, 

with half light brown and half dark brown! Mocha simply 
must be seen in purr-son! She’s sweet, cuddly, and 
loves her siblings, all named after coffees: Joe, Mr. Peets, 
Kona, Latte. See more pictures of them on our website’s 
Very Young page. Please choose 2 unless you al-ready 
have a playful young feline at home. We are taking applications 
now for delivery in October. They will already 
come spayed/neutered, microchipped, vaxed, tested 
healthy, and more! That’s big savings for you! Get the process started to meet them by 
submitting the application at www.lifelineforpets.org. Can’t adopt? Please share with 
someone who can. We want these babies in their forever homes asap. Thank you! 


Pet of the Week 

We really need to talk about Bruno. He is an 
astonishingly handsome Chow/Akita mix whowill surely turn heads wherever he goes. He’s 
about 10 months old and full of fun!

 Bruno was brought to the shelter becausehis family didn’t have time for him. Raisinga large puppy can be quite difficult, but we’ve 
seen plenty of indications that Bruno is treat-
motivated and has the ability to learn quickly.
This guy will be so much fun to take hiking,
camping or on any other adventure!

 
The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dogadoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.
New adopters will receive a complimentary health-andwellness 
exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody 
bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

 View photos of adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment atpasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoptionappointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adoptersby phone calls or email. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 
Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com