Bitter Root
Lewisia rediviva
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Jim Morefield (www.flickr.com) from Nevada, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Montiaceae
- Genus:
- Lewisia
- Species:
- Lewisia rediviva
- USDA Symbol:
- LERE7
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 5 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- gritty, well-drained, rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to rocky slopes and gravelly soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Requires cold stratification and light for germination. Sow on surface or barely cover seeds.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are treated with a 60 to 90 day cold, moist stratification. Seeds are imbibed in water, rolled in moistened paper towels inserted into an opened zip-lock bag that is placed in the refrigerator at 1 to 3 C.
Establishment: Seeds are collected in mid summer when the corolla turns papery and the disseminule breaks away from the stem. Development and ripening of the seeds occurs over a 2 to 3 week period. Seeds are shiny black at maturity. The plant occurs in gravelly to dry soils, from sagebrush plains to lower elevations in the mountains.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring.