oppositeleaf lewisia
Lewisia oppositifolia (S.Watson) B.L.Rob.
Lewisia oppositifolia is a rare flowering plant in the Montiaceae family, native to the Klamath Mountains in Oregon and California. It is a perennial herb with a basal rosette of fleshy, lance-shaped leaves and erect flowering stems bearing 1 to 6 flowers with white to pale pink petals. The species is a serpentine endemic, typically found in moist habitats. Its limited range makes it vulnerable to threats such as logging.
Description
Lewisia oppositifolia is a local endemic of the Klamath Mountains in Josephine County, Oregon, and Del Norte County, California. It grows from a small taproot and caudex, with leaves up to 11 cm long. The inflorescence consists of one or more stems up to 20 cm tall, each bearing 1 to 6 flowers. Each flower has 8 to 11 petals, 1 to 2 cm long, with blunt or jagged tips and pale anthers. The species is threatened by human activities in its habitat, particularly logging. First described in 1897, it is known for its restricted distribution and ecological specialization.
Other common names
oppositeleaf lewisia
Distribution
California · Oregon
Synonyms
Oreobroma oppositifolium
