Lewisia nevadensis
Nevada lewisia, Nevada Lewisia
(c) James H. Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lewisia nevadensis (Nevada lewisia) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by erect bracts below stem middle and large sepals diagnostic.
Nevada lewisia is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, Warner Mountains, and eastern Sierra Nevada in grassy meadows, moist gravel flats, and open forests at elevations of 1,300 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces delicate white to pale-pink flowers with 5 to 10 petals 9 to 20 millimeters long, arranged singly or in small clusters above its leaf rosette. Growing with slender stems emerging from a compact base, it forms an open rosette of thread-like to narrowly lanceolate leaves 3 to 13 centimeters long. Its leaves are distinctive, tapering to the base with obtuse tips and growing in loose, open arrangements that highlight the plant's delicate structure. The small fruit measures 5 to 10 millimeters long and contains 20 to 50 tiny seeds approximately 1.3 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; erect bracts below stem middle and large sepals diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy meadows, moist gravel flats, open forest
Elevation: 1300-3000 m
California counties: Tulare, Tuolumne, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, El Dorado, Madera, Fresno, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Lassen, Mariposa, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Trinity, Ventura, Plumas, Alpine, Tehama, Lake, San Diego, San Benito
Outside California: to Washington, Rocky Mountains
Bloom period
Lewisia nevadensis blooms May-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 nevadensis native to California?
Yes. Lewisia nevadensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lewisia nevadensis bloom?
Lewisia nevadensis blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Lewisia nevadensis grow?
Lewisia nevadensis occurs in Tulare, Tuolumne, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, El Dorado, Madera, Fresno, Amador and other counties, at elevations of 1300-3000 m.
What plant family does Lewisia nevadensis belong to?
Lewisia nevadensis is in the Montiaceae family, genus Lewisia.
What habitat does Lewisia nevadensis grow in?
Lewisia nevadensis grows in Grassy meadows, moist gravel flats, open 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.