Lewisia cotyledon
Cliff maids
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Hilton · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lewisia cotyledon (Cliff maids) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by KR cliff rosette; broad fleshy evergreen spoon-shaped leaves; stems with 12-many-flowered panicle (most congeners 1-few-flowered).
Cliff maids is a California native perennial found in rocky areas of the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces stunning pink-purple flowers with pale and darker stripes, 10 to 20 millimeters long, arranged in flat-topped clusters that rise above its dense leaf rosette. Growing with stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters of rosettes with multiple flowering stalks. Its leaves are fleshy and ovate or spoon-shaped, 3 to 14 centimeters long, forming a tight basal rosette with rounded tips and entire margins. The delicate flowers feature 5 to 13 petals with slightly notched tips, creating an intricate and eye-catching display against its succulent green foliage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: KR cliff rosette; broad fleshy evergreen spoon-shaped leaves; stems with 12-many-flowered panicle (most congeners 1-few-flowered)
Habitat and range
California counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Trinity
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 cotyledon native to California?
Yes. Lewisia cotyledon is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Lewisia cotyledon grow?
Lewisia cotyledon occurs in Del Norte, Humboldt, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Trinity.
What plant family does Lewisia cotyledon belong to?
Lewisia cotyledon is in the Montiaceae family, genus Lewisia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.