Lewisiopsis tweedyi

Lewisiopsis tweedyi

''Lewisiopsis tweedyi'' is a flowering plant and sole species in genus ''Lewisiopsis''. The species, formerly known as
''Cistanthe tweedyi'' and ''Lewisia tweedyi'', is now classified in the Montiaceae family. The plant is known by the common names Tweedy's pussypaws, Tweedy's lewisia, or Tweedy's bitterroot. It is endemic to western North America in north-central Washington and adjacent British Columbia. It commonly grows on well-drained slopes often on rocky slopes or in rock crevices from low elevation ponderosa pine sites up to the drier part of the Grand Fir zone of the North Cascades. The flowers usually have a coral, apricot, or pink color.
Tweedy's Lewisia these really look unreal.. they look like they belong far more in a tropical jungle (or perhaps even more a *fake* jungle... like something you'd see as decoration at the Rainforest cafe or Disney...) than a north western pine forest.. but here they are and only here. They are an endemic with a rather small range, only a few places in Washington and British Columbia, with rather specific growing conditions. Geotagged,Lewisiopsis tweedyi,Spring,United States

Appearance

The root of ''Lewisiopsis'' is reddish, fleshy, and extremely thick. The root can grow to be two to three feet long although some are much shorter.

There are numerous, evergreen, smooth, succulent and light green leaves. The margins on the leaves are up to 1 foot long including the stems. The blades of the leaves are sometimes shallowly notched at the apex and are up to 2 inches wide and are ovate. The petioles are 3⁄8 inch wide and are as long as the blades. The petioles appear flattened and the edges are turned upward forming a shallow groove at the base. The underside of the stem is ridged at the base. A mature plant is typically 8 inches in diameter.
Tweedy's Lewisia I did in fact find the rare plants I was looking for. They really were't hiding :p - walk up the closed forest service road and there they are clinging to the rock faces. These plants have a very limited range, occurring just in the Wenatchee mountains of Central Washington and in a small part of British Columbia. Geotagged,Lewisiopsis tweedyi,Spring,United States

Distribution

''Lewisiopsis'' is endemic to the Wenatchee Mountains and Methow Valley of Washington State, and in Manning Park of British Columbia. Populations may be found near Mount Stuart, Tumwater Greek, Chumstick Creek, as well as at the top of high ridges. It is one of the regions showiest herbaceous plants. It has a limited geographic range but is quite common within that area.

Habitat

''Lewisiopsis'' is perennial. It is typically found at elevation of 1,500 to 4,500 feet . It hides from the sun at low elevations and can be found in the shade. As the elevations increase, the plant reveals itself to the sun. It can live up to temperatures of 100 °F in the summer time. In its native environment, ''Lewisiopsis'' can handle temperature below 30 °F degrees, although the flowers may die.

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyMontiaceae
GenusLewisiopsis
SpeciesL. tweedyi
Photographed in
United States of America