Lewisia rediviva
Bitter root
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Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lewisia rediviva (Bitter root) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by Solitary large pink flower with 10-19 petals & 6-9 petal-like sepals over a ring of 4-7 scarious bracts; linear leaves wither at bloom.
Bitter root is a California native perennial found in rocky, often alpine habitats at elevations of 800 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces stunning white to pink and lavender flowers 12 to 35 millimeters long with delicate obovate-oblong petals, often featuring a white base and obtuse-notched tips. Growing with multiple slender stems 2 to 6 centimeters tall that emerge from a dense basal rosette, it develops distinctive flowering stems that disjoint near the middle and leave behind a ring of scarious, awl-like bracts. Its leaves form a compact rosette of thick, linear segments 0.5 to 5 centimeters long, tapered at the base with blunt tips. Each plant produces between 6 to 25 small seeds, highlighting its remarkable adaptation to harsh, rocky environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Solitary large pink flower with 10-19 petals & 6-9 petal-like sepals over a ring of 4-7 scarious bracts; linear leaves wither at bloom
Habitat and range
California counties: Kern, Santa Clara, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Mono, Inyo, Butte, Placer, Contra Costa, Lake, Modoc, Monterey, Napa, Siskiyou, Ventura, Calaveras, Amador, Marin, Mariposa, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Tulare, Tuolumne, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Tehama, Lassen, Glenn, San Benito, Sutter, Colusa, Stanislaus, Fresno, Shasta, Trinity, Plumas, El Dorado, Nevada
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 rediviva native to California?
Yes. Lewisia rediviva is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Lewisia rediviva grow?
Lewisia rediviva occurs in Kern, Santa Clara, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Mono, Inyo, Butte and other counties.
What plant family does Lewisia rediviva belong to?
Lewisia rediviva 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.