Lewisia brachycalyx

Lewisia brachycalyx is a species of flowering plant in the family Montiaceae, known by the common name short-sepal bitter-root or shortsepal lewisia.[1] It is native to the mountains of the southwestern United States and Baja California,[1] where it grows in moist habitat such as meadows. It is a deciduous perennial growing from a short thick taproot and caudex unit. It produces a basal rosette of thick, fleshy, blunt-tipped narrow leaves up to 8 centimeters long. The inflorescence is under 4 centimeters tall, taking the form of a cluster of several flowers sitting atop the leaf rosette. Each flower has 5 to 9 shiny white or pink petals about 2 centimeters long. At the center are many stamens and stigmas clumped together.[2] The Latin specific epithet brachycalyx means “having a short calyx”.[3]

Lewisia brachycalyx
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Montiaceae
Genus: Lewisia
Species:
L. brachycalyx
Binomial name
Lewisia brachycalyx

This plant is hardy down to −10 °C (14 °F) but requires well-drained, acid to neutral pH soil in full sun. It becomes dormant after flowering in the summer. It is a suitable subject for an alpine garden where it can be given the conditions that best replicate its natural habitat. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[4][5]

The genus Lewisia was moved in 2009 from the purslane family (Portulacaceae) with adoption of the APG III system, which established the family Montiaceae.

References
  1. "Lewisia brachycalyx". Calflora.org. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  2. Brickell, Christopher, ed. (2008). The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 624. ISBN 9781405332965.
  3. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 184533731X.
  4. "RHS Plantfinder - Lewisia brachycalyx". Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  5. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 60. Retrieved 22 March 2018.


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