Scientific Name
Lewisia longipetala (Piper) S. Clay
Common Name(s)
Bitter Root
Synonym(s)
Lewisia rediviva var. rediviva, Lewisia alba
Scientific Classification
Family: Montiaceae
Genus: Lewisia
Flower
Color: Whitish to deep pink or lavender
Bloom Time: April through July
Description
Lewisia rediviva is a low-growing perennial plant with a fleshy taproot and a simple or branched base. The flower stems are leafless and up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) tall, bearing at the tip a whorl of 5 to 6 linear, up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long bracts. A single flower appears on each stem with 5 to 9 oval-shaped sepals. The flowers range from whitish to deep pink or lavender and appear from April through July. At maturity, the plant produces egg-shaped capsules with 6 to 20 nearly round seeds.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 4a to 8b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 20 °F (−6.7 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Lewisia plants produce offsets that 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 western North America from low to moderate elevations on grassland, open bushland, and forest.
Links
- Back to genus Lewisia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
