Heckner's Lewisia
(Lewisia cotyledon var. heckneri )
Portulacaeae (purslane family)

BLM Photo

Description: Perennial herb, 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) tall, arising from a thick, short base and taproot. Leaves many and evergreen, in basal rosette of flat, spoon-shaped leaves, 1 to 6 inches (2-1/2 to 15 cm) long with toothed margins. Flowers are showy, bright to very pale pink, salmon, or candy-striped, 1 inch (2-1/2 cm) across with 7 or more petals, borne in clusters on leafless stems.

Distribution: Within the public lands administered by the Redding Field Office, this species is found in northern Trinity County in the Klamath Ranges.

Habitat: Grows on outcrops and cliffs of various rock types, often near streams of rivers, in a variety of forest types, at elevations from 1000 to 6000 feet (300 to 1800 meters). Populations grow in part to full shade, usually on north slopes.

Flowering Period: May to July

Similar Plants: In general, L. cotyledon follows a gradient from var. heckneri in the south to var. howelli in the north. Populations in parts of its range are intermediate in appearance.

Status: BLM Sensitive, California Native Plant Society List 1B