Lewisia stebbinsii
Stebbins' lewisia, Stebbins' Lewisia
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Lewisia stebbinsii (Stebbins' lewisia) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit and magenta flowers distinctive.
Stebbins' lewisia is a rare California native perennial ranked 1B.2 by CNPS, found in the northern Coast Ranges in open, gravelly sites within conifer forest at elevations of 1,600 to 2,050 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces magenta or red flowers with white bases and purple veins, 8 to 15 millimeters long, with blunt and slightly jagged petals. Growing with 1 to 9 prostrate stems 1 to 14 centimeters tall, it forms a distinctive rosette. Its fleshy leaves are 5 to 15 in number, oblanceolate to obovate, 9 centimeters or less, with entire or slightly wavy margins tapering to a long petiole and an obtuse tip. The fruit is 5 to 7 millimeters long, containing about 20 small seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; prostrate habit and magenta flowers distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, gravelly sites, serpentine or not, conifer forest
Elevation: 1600-2050 m
Bloom period
Lewisia stebbinsii blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 stebbinsii native to California?
Yes. Lewisia stebbinsii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lewisia stebbinsii bloom?
Lewisia stebbinsii blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Lewisia stebbinsii belong to?
Lewisia stebbinsii is in the Montiaceae family, genus Lewisia.
Is Lewisia stebbinsii rare or endangered?
Lewisia stebbinsii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Lewisia stebbinsii grow in?
Lewisia stebbinsii grows in Open, gravelly sites, serpentine or not, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.