Plant of the Month April 2012

Lewisia brachycalyx

Lewisia brachycalyx; photo by Todd Boland

Description and general information

Lewisia brachycalyx is a member of the purslane family, Portulacaceae and is known by the common name short-sepal bitter-root. This species was first described by George Engelmann in 1868. It is native to the mountains of the California, Arizona, Utah and NW New Mexico, as well as Baja California, where it grows in sandy soils among seasonally moist montane meadows at an elevation of 1300-2500 m. It is a perennial herb growing from a short thick taproot. After the fall 'monsoon' rains of their native region, plants begin to send up a rosette of leaves. These will sit through the colder months and resume growth in early spring. When leaves are mature, they form a basal rosette of thick, fleshy, blunt-tipped narrow leaves up to 8 centimeters long. Flowers are solitary but produced in clusters that sit atop the leaf rosette. Each flower has 5 to 9 shiny white or pink petals about 2 centimeters long. The leaves wither and the plants go dormant shortly after flowering.

Cultivation

This lewisia requires gritty, well-drained soil that is moist in winter. Full sun is best. Shortly after flowering, the plant will go dormant, at which time it should be kept on the dry side, otherwise it will rot. Plants will resume growth in late summer to early fall once they are exposed to extra moisture. They are rated hardy to USDA Zone 6.

Bloom period

April in southern regions of North America but not until June in more northern regions.

Propagation

Seed only.

Seed

For maximum germination, sow seeds at 20 C for 3 months, then stratify at 4 C for 3 months, then gradually expose to heat where they usually germinate in about 3-4 weeks.

Division

As this species grows from a taproot, division is not an option.

Cuttings

Being taprooted, plants do not produce stems suitable for cutting purposes.

References

Alpine Plants of North America by Graham Nicholls

www.onrockgarden.com/germination-guide/plants?title=l&title_1=lewisia

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