Lewisia ×whiteae
(c) Kayla Sweeten, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Lewisia ×whiteae is a native California perennial in the Montiaceae family, recognized by hybrid nature and notched petals distinctive.
Lewisia whiteae is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges on granite, sandstone, and serpentine slopes, cliffs, and conifer forests at elevations of 2,100 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces rose, pink, or white flowers with magenta veins, 5 to 13 millimeters long with notched tips arranged in open panicles above dense leaf rosettes. Growing with several stems 12 to 30 centimeters tall, the plant forms compact clusters of fleshy foliage. Its leaves are densely arranged in rosettes, narrowly oblanceolate, 2 to 10 centimeters long, with blunt tips and entire margins that are flat or slightly grooved. The delicate flowers emerge above the rosette, creating a striking display of soft-colored petals against the plant's succulent green base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; hybrid nature and notched petals distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granite, sandstone, serpentine slopes, cliffs, conifer forest
Elevation: 2100-2300 m
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Lewisia ×whiteae 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 ×whiteae native to California?
Yes. Lewisia ×whiteae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lewisia ×whiteae bloom?
Lewisia ×whiteae blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Lewisia ×whiteae belong to?
Lewisia ×whiteae is in the Montiaceae family, genus Lewisia.
What habitat does Lewisia ×whiteae grow in?
Lewisia ×whiteae grows in Granite, sandstone, serpentine slopes, cliffs, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lewisia brachycalyx — Short-sepaled lewisia
- Lewisia cantelovii — Cantelow's lewisia
- Lewisia congdonii — Congdon's lewisia
- Lewisia cotyledon — Cliff maids
- Lewisia cotyledon var. cotyledon — Cliff maids
- Lewisia cotyledon var. heckneri — Heckner's lewisia
- Montia chamissoi — Toad lily
- Montia dichotoma — Dwarf miner's lettuce
- Montia diffusa — Diffuse miner's lettuce
- Montia fontana — Water chickweed
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.