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Lewisia brachycalyx - Engelm. ex A.Gray.

Common Name Shortsepal lewisia
Family Portulacaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Wet meadows, 1300 - 2200 metres in California[71]. Montane meadows in sandy soil at elevations of 1300 - 2400 metres[270].
Range Southwestern N. America - California, Utah, Arizona and Baja California.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Lewisia brachycalyx Shortsepal lewisia


Margaret Williams @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Lewisia brachycalyx Shortsepal lewisia
Margaret Williams @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lewisia brachycalyx is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from September to July, in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked. Steeped and boiled[177]. Said to be extremely nutritious. It is easiest to use when the plant is in flower because the outer layer of the root (which is very bitter) slips off easily at this time of the year[85]. The root has a good taste though a decided bitter flavour develops afterwards[105, 161].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a very well-drained gritty humus-rich deep soil in a sunny position[1, 200]. Prefers a neutral to acid soil[188]. This species is not reliably hardy in Britain[1]. It can withstand consistently very cold weather but does not like alternating periods of mild and cold conditions, nor does it like winter wet[1]. The plant is very susceptible to rotting at the neck in a damp soil[200]. Plants die down after flowering and start growing again in the autumn[188]. Very apt to hybridize with other members of this genus[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in a very freely draining soil[129]. Sow stored seed as soon as possible in a cold frame. One months cold stratification should improve germination, though this is still likely to be very slow. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in March/April. Very difficult.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lewisia columbianaColumbian Bitterroot, Columbian lewisia, Wallowa lewisiaPerennial0.2 4-8 SLMSNM20 
Lewisia pygmaeaPigmy Bitterroot, Alpine lewisiaPerennial0.1 3-7  LMNM20 
Lewisia redivivaBitter-RootPerennial0.1 4-8  LMNM22 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Engelm. ex A.Gray.

Botanical References

71200270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

hewett.blackman   Thu Jan 10 2008

Plant the cordex proud of the soil which stopps any rotting.

Hewett Blackman   Thu Jan 10 2008

Planting cordex proud of the soil in all Lewisias, will stop any rotting this method is used in showing my Plants,

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Subject : Lewisia brachycalyx  
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