Alpine Lewisia

Lewisia pygmaea

Alpine Lewisia

Bryan Harry

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Montiaceae
Genus:
Lewisia
Species:
Lewisia pygmaea

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
Less than 6 in
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
may, jun, jul, aug
Bloom Colors:
White, Pink, Purple

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
gritty, well-drained, rocky soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to alpine and subalpine regions

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: 60 to 90 day cold, moist stratification. Seeds are placed in moist paper towels inserted into an opened zip-lock bag and placed in the refrigerator at 1 to 3 C. Germination occurs in early spring at temperatures slightly above freezing to 10C.

Establishment: L. pygmaea occurs in moist to dry places in the mountains to above tree line; Cascade and Olympic mountains of Washington, south to California, east to Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Source: npn.rngr.net