Lewisia leeana
Quill-leaved lewisia
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Hilton · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lewisia leeana (Quill-leaved lewisia) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by cylindrical leaves highly distinctive.
Quill-leaved lewisia is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern coastal regions, Cascade Range, and central Sierra Nevada Mountains in granite, serpentine, and rocky conifer forest habitats at elevations of 1,300 to 3,350 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white, pink, purple, or magenta flowers in rounded, open clusters well-raised above its dense leaf rosette. Growing with slender stems 8 to 24 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters of narrow, cylindrical leaves. Its leaves are densely packed, 1.5 to 6 centimeters long, appearing almost quill-like with blunt tips and a fleshy, linear shape. The delicate flowers feature 6 to 8 petals approximately 5 to 6.5 millimeters long, emerging from among lanceolate bracts.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; cylindrical leaves highly distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granite, serpentine cliffs, rocky slopes, conifer forest
Elevation: 1300-3350 m
California counties: Fresno, Siskiyou, Trinity, Del Norte, Humboldt, Shasta
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Lewisia leeana blooms Jun-Aug.
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 leeana native to California?
Yes. Lewisia leeana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lewisia leeana bloom?
Lewisia leeana blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Lewisia leeana grow?
Lewisia leeana occurs in Fresno, Siskiyou, Trinity, Del Norte, Humboldt, Shasta, at elevations of 1300-3350 m.
What plant family does Lewisia leeana belong to?
Lewisia leeana is in the Montiaceae family, genus Lewisia.
What habitat does Lewisia leeana grow in?
Lewisia leeana grows in Granite, serpentine cliffs, rocky slopes, conifer forest.
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.