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Lewisia pygmaea

Montiaceae

Dwarf Lewisia

Lewisia pygmaea
Tight rosette to 6 in. across. Leaves narrowly linear to lance-shaped, 1–3 in. long, fleshy, entire, with blunt tip. Stems each with single flower (rarely 2) about same length as leaves. Flower is pink or white with many petals, a little jagged or toothed at tips. Grows in streambanks, in wet gravel or sand, rocky slopes or moist meadows in high mountains, where it often blooms immediately after snow melts and before soil dries. Hybridizes with L. nevadensis where the 2 come together.

  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Flowering Time: Early Summer
  • Flower Form: 5 or more petals, leaves often succulent, perslane
  • Life Cycle: Perennial
  • Height: 1/2 to 3 inches
  • Habitat: Alpine, Subalpine, Vernal Wet
  • Found In: Mt. Rainier NP, N Cascades NP, Olympic NP, Siskiyous, Steens, Wallowas
  • Native: Yes

Map of where Lewisia pygmaea is found