[Lewisias: The Genus Lewisia in Mt. Adams Country]

Nevada Bitter-root, Nevada Lewisia

Lewisia nevadensis

Synonyms: Calandrinia nevadensis, Claytonia grayana, Lewisia bernardina, Lewisia minima, Lewisia pygmaea var. nevadensis, Oreobroma nevadensis

Nevada Bitter-root, Nevada Lewisia: Lewisia nevadensis (Synonyms: Calandrinia nevadensis, Claytonia grayana, Lewisia bernardina, Lewisia minima, Lewisia pygmaea var. nevadensis, Oreobroma nevadensis)


Nevada Bitter-root, Nevada Lewisia: Lewisia nevadensis (Synonyms: Calandrinia nevadensis, Claytonia grayana, Lewisia bernardina, Lewisia minima, Lewisia pygmaea var. nevadensis, Oreobroma nevadensis)The photo at right shows a close-up of the calyx and petals of Nevada lewisia as seen at Memaloose, near Hat Point, Wallowa-Whitman N.F........July 8, 1999. Note that the calyx tip is pointed with largely entire margins.
Characteristics:

Nevada lewisia is a diminutive perennial wildflower with one to several flowering stems from 1-8 cm long arising from several to many linear to oblanceolate leaves up to 15 cm long and 1-6 mm wide. Two opposite bracts are found at midstem. The stems and leaves typically lack any hairs.

The flowers are single atop the flower stems with 2 lightly veined, ovate-shaped sepals measuring from 5-10 mm long with mostly acute tips. The margins of the sepals are usually entire. The 5-9 (usually 7) petals measure 6-17 mm long and are white, greenish-white, lavender or pink. Four to twelve stamens are found within the flower while the style is divided into 3-6 branches.


Habitat:

Nevada lewisia may be found on moist to dry, gravelly to coarsely sandy soils above treeline in the mountains.


Range:

Nevada lewisia may be found from the northern Cascade Mts. and Olympic Mts. of Washington sout to southern California. Its range extends eastward to eastern Oregon and Washington.


Nevada Bitter-root, Nevada Lewisia: Lewisia nevadensis (Synonyms: Calandrinia nevadensis, Claytonia grayana, Lewisia bernardina, Lewisia minima, Lewisia pygmaea var. nevadensis, Oreobroma nevadensis)

Nevada Bitter-root, Nevada Lewisia: Lewisia nevadensis (Synonyms: Calandrinia nevadensis, Claytonia grayana, Lewisia bernardina, Lewisia minima, Lewisia pygmaea var. nevadensis, Oreobroma nevadensis)

Nevada lewisia from Winter Ridge, Fremont N.F.........July12, 1998.

Nevada Bitter-root, Nevada Lewisia: Lewisia nevadensis (Synonyms: Calandrinia nevadensis, Claytonia grayana, Lewisia bernardina, Lewisia minima, Lewisia pygmaea var. nevadensis, Oreobroma nevadensis)


Paul Slichter