Lewisia congdonii
Congdon's lewisia, Congdon's Lewisia
(c) Ryan Donnelly, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Lewisia congdonii (Congdon's lewisia) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by extremely tall stems and massive flower clusters diagnostic.
Congdon's lewisia is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains on granite and metamorphic outcrops, rock slides, and in chaparral, woodland, and conifer forest at elevations of 500 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pale pink flowers with yellow-green bases and magenta veins, approximately 8 millimeters long with jagged tips, emerging in open clusters of 20 to 100 blooms. Growing with multiple stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms a distinctive rosette of narrowly oblanceolate to obovate leaves that taper to long, slender petioles. Its leaves are few to many, with acute or obtuse tips, arranged in a compact basal cluster with a few additional cauline leaves. The fruit is small, measuring 3 to 4 millimeters long, containing one to few seeds each about 2 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; extremely tall stems and massive flower clusters diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granite, metamorphic outcrops, crevices, rock slides, chaparral, woodland, conifer forest
Elevation: 500-2800 m
California counties: Fresno, Mariposa, Madera
Bloom period
Lewisia congdonii blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 congdonii native to California?
Yes. Lewisia congdonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lewisia congdonii bloom?
Lewisia congdonii blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Lewisia congdonii grow?
Lewisia congdonii occurs in Fresno, Mariposa, Madera, at elevations of 500-2800 m.
What plant family does Lewisia congdonii belong to?
Lewisia congdonii is in the Montiaceae family, genus Lewisia.
Is Lewisia congdonii rare or endangered?
Lewisia congdonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
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.