Lewisia cotyledon var. howellii

Howell's lewisia

Family: Montiaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 3.2

Howell's lewisia is a rare California native perennial ranked 3.2 by CNPS, found in the Klamath Ranges on rock outcrops, canyon wall crevices, and open woodland in chaparral and conifer forest at elevations of 100 to 400 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to pink flowers with petals 12 to 20 millimeters long, creating delicate clusters against rocky landscapes. Growing with low-spreading stems, it forms compact clumps close to its rocky habitat. Its leaves have distinctively wavy margins, creating a subtle undulating texture that helps the plant blend into its rocky surroundings. The compact growth and softly ruffled foliage make this lewisia a subtle but striking component of its rugged mountain environment.

Habitat: rock outcrops, crevices on canyon walls, open woodland; chaparral, conifer forest

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: 100-400 m

Bioregions: KR

California counties: Siskiyou, Humboldt, Mendocino, Shasta, Trinity

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.