Scientific Name
Lewisia cotyledon (S. Watson) B.L. Rob.
Common Name(s)
Siskiyou Lewisia, Cliff Maids
Synonym(s)
Lewisia cotyledon var. cotyledon, Calandrinia cotyledon, Lewisia finchiae, Lewisia purdyi, Oreobroma cotyledon
Scientific Classification
Family: Montiaceae
Genus: Lewisia
Flower
Color: Pale pink, whitish, orange, yellow
Bloom Time: Spring to summer
Description
Lewisia cotyledon is an evergreen perennial that grows from a thick taproot and caudex unit. It produces a basal rosette of many thick, fleshy oval- or spoon-shaped, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long leaves. The Latin "cotyledon," meaning "small cup," refers to the shape of the leaves. From spring to summer, the inflorescence arises on one or more up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall stems, each stem bearing an array of up to 50 flowers. Near the flowers are small pointed bracts tipped with resin glands. The flower has 7 to 13 petals, each about 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) long. The petals may be pale pink with darker veining, whitish with pinkish-orange striping, or solid orange to yellow.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 3a to 8b: from −40 °F (−40 °C) to 20 °F (−6.7 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Lewisia plants produce offsets, which are the easiest way to propagate this interesting little succulent. Simply divide them from the parent plant and pot them up to grow good taproot and fleshy feeder roots.
You can also learn how to grow Lewisia from seed. The tiny plants take a couple of seasons to form a rosette but establish easily when sown in a sandy potting mixture.
Once the plants are placed in a garden situation, provide them with moderate water, excellent drainage, and a minimum of nutrients. It couldn't be simpler to grow Lewisias. The primary thing to remember is to avoid excessively fertile soil and compacted or clay situations.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Lewisia.
Origin
This species is native to southern Oregon and northern California, where it grows in rocky subalpine mountain habitats.
Links
- Back to genus Lewisia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
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