Native Plants
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Lewisia pygmaea
Lewisia pygmaea (A. Gray) B.L. Rob.
Alpine Lewisia, Pygmy Bitterroot
Portulacaceae (Purslane Family)
Synonym(s): Lewisia minima, Lewisia pygmaea var. aridorum, Lewisia sierrae, Oreobroma pygmaeum, Talinum pygmaeum
USDA Symbol: LEPY2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Pygmy Bitterroot is a member of the purslane family (family Portulacaceae). Purslanes are herbs, often succulent, with delicate flowers.
Flowers: radially symmetrical, borne single or in branched clusters; sepals usually 2, united or separate; petals 4.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , PurpleBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WYCanada: AB , BC , YT
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FACU |
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Lewisia pygmaea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lewisia pygmaea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lewisia pygmaea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-02Research By: TWC Staff