Lewisia kelloggii
Kellogg's lewisia
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lewisia kelloggii (Kellogg's lewisia) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by Dense leathery obovate rosette; 1-flowered short stems; 2 bracts subtend flower to mimic a 2nd sepal pair (look like 4 sepals); white petals.
Kellogg's lewisia is a California native perennial found in rocky, alpine habitats at high elevations. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces delicate white or pink flowers with 5 to 12 petals, each 10 to 30 millimeters long and often slightly notched at the tip. Growing with several short stems 1 to 4 centimeters tall, it forms a dense rosette of thick, leathery leaves. Its leaves are spoon-shaped or obovate, 1.5 to 9 centimeters long, with an obtuse tip and a long, narrow petiole. The plant produces a compact fruit approximately 8 millimeters long containing 12 to 15 small seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Dense leathery obovate rosette; 1-flowered short stems; 2 bracts subtend flower to mimic a 2nd sepal pair (look like 4 sepals); white petals
Habitat and range
California counties: Tuolumne, Siskiyou, Placer, El Dorado, Madera, Mariposa, Nevada, Plumas, Sierra, Alpine
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 kelloggii native to California?
Yes. Lewisia kelloggii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Lewisia kelloggii grow?
Lewisia kelloggii occurs in Tuolumne, Siskiyou, Placer, El Dorado, Madera, Mariposa, Nevada, Plumas and other counties.
What plant family does Lewisia kelloggii belong to?
Lewisia kelloggii 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.