Unknown little plant living in deep shade id

thevictorian

Hi, does anyone know what this little plant is please? I found it living in the shadiest, northfacing, corner of my neighbours garden when watering and haven't seen it before. I thought it might be a periwinkle but it doesn't appear (from a brief inspection) to send out runners. It seems a prolific self seeder because there was quite a carpet of it in that area but each plant was singular not connected to others, it grows from a central crown, has a very shallow root system and little two tone pink flowers (similar to erodium). It looks nice but I'm worried by the fact I've not seen it before and how prolific it appears, so any ideas would be greatfully received. Thanks

 

Fairygirl

One of the Cardamines possibly? 
Foliage looks slightly different from the usual one [pratensis], but they can change as they mature, and  there are various types anyway.
They have shallow roots, and do seed around. I actively encourage it. 
Someone else will know for sure though 

Borderline

I think that's Pink Purslane, Claytonia Sibirica. They apparently thrive in damp shady conditions & supposed to be edible. 

Fairygirl

That's great @Borderline. I'm sure your ID is much more accurate than mine!

mikeymustard

That's weird, I asked about this yesterday!

thevictorian

Thanks everyone. It's not a plant I've come across before but looks great at the moment. I might tuck a few into some potential areas and see if they come back next year.

Liriodendron

I first met this plant at Kirkley Hall in Northumberland where I was studying horticulture.  It carpeted parts of the stream banks where nothing much else was growing, and was a mass of pale pink in spring.  I don't think it'll become a problem - as you've noticed, it's shallow rooted so if it seeds where you don't want it, you can just hoik it out.  

Blue Onion

Liriodendron said:

…”just hoik it out.”

@Liriodendron Is that a specialist horticultural technique you also learned in your studies?  

Liriodendron

I've just looked up its etymology, @Blue Onion.  I imagined it was a Geordie word picked up during my 22 years spent in Northumberland... but it appears to be related to Finnish (hoikka, means slim).  Who knew??     A useful descriptive word though...

LG_

We definitely use 'hoik' dahn 'ere in saahfeest Lundon 😉

It's a pretty thing, and the leaves look fleshy like the winter purslane (Claytonia perfoliata - miner's lettuce) I grew as a salad a couple of years ago.