Lewisia cantelovii
Cantelow's lewisia
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Lewisia cantelovii (Cantelow's lewisia) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by toothed leaf margins highly distinctive.
Cantelow's lewisia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern Sierra Nevada high country on granite cliff faces, rocky outcrops, serpentine seeps, and woodland areas at elevations of 385 to 1,370 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces delicate white to pale pink flowers with 5 to 7 petals, each 6 to 9 millimeters long and arranged in wide, open panicles above its rosette of leaves. Growing with several flowering stems 15 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a distinctive spreading rosette of spoon-shaped leaves. Its leaves are 2.5 to 8 centimeters long, with finely toothed edges, truncate or notched tips, and a wide petiole that creates an elegant basal arrangement. The plant produces small fruits approximately 3 millimeters long, containing 1 to 3 tiny seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; toothed leaf margins highly distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granite cliff faces, rocky outcrops, ravines, serpentine seeps, chaparral, woodland, conifer forest
Elevation: 385-1370 m
California counties: Nevada, Plumas, Fresno, El Dorado, Sierra, Marin, Butte, Placer, Shasta
Bloom period
Lewisia cantelovii blooms May-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Claytonia: Lewisia forms tight rosettes on rocks while Claytonia has thin leaves on upright stems in moist soil.; vs Montia: Lewisia grows from rocky crevices with succulent rosette leaves; Montia has thin stems with multiple leaves.; vs Stephanomeria: Lewisia has 5-petaled pink flowers and succulent leaves; Stephanomeria has dandelion-like ray flowers and milky sap.; vs Draba: Lewisia has pink/white 5-petaled flowers; Draba has yellow/white 4-petaled flowers in tight clusters.; vs Clarkia: Lewisia has succulent basal leaves and grows on rocks; Clarkia has upright stems with papery 4-petaled flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lewisia cantelovii native to California?
Yes. Lewisia cantelovii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lewisia cantelovii bloom?
Lewisia cantelovii blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Lewisia cantelovii grow?
Lewisia cantelovii occurs in Nevada, Plumas, Fresno, El Dorado, Sierra, Marin, Butte, Placer and other counties, at elevations of 385-1370 m.
What plant family does Lewisia cantelovii belong to?
Lewisia cantelovii is in the Montiaceae family, genus Lewisia.
Is Lewisia cantelovii rare or endangered?
Lewisia cantelovii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.