Cistanthe tweedyi
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
of the plant gets wet, it will die causing the death of the entire plant. If cultured, perfect drainage is required for survival. The use of broken or crushed rock mixed with humus will keep the plant alive. Placing a small rock under the crowns can prevent the crown from getting wet. The plant will not die of thirst because the leathery leaves and roots will store enough water.
There are numerous, evergreen
, smooth, succulent and light green leaves. The margins on the leaves are up to 1 feet (30.5 cm) long including the stems. The blades of the leaves are sometimes shallowly notched at the apex and are up to 2 inches (5 cm) wide and are ovate. The petiole
s are 0.4 inches (1 cm) 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 will be 8 inches (20.3 cm) in diameter.
s. Along the stem are several scattered buds. There are eight to twelve broad petals that when mature will open widely creating what appears to be a cup-shaped blossom, up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) across. These petals are up to three inches in diameter with a cream colored such as apricot or pink near the tips of the petals. The petals are not individualist. As they age, they close and cling together being replaced by the lower petals. Inside of their small egg-shaped capsule contains up to 12 to 20 seeds. There are 12 to 15 stamen
s and 2 sepal
s. This plant does not produce any fruit.
Lewisiopsis flowers in May, June, and July, depending on elevation.
Cistanthe tweedyi and Lewisia tweedyi, is now classified in the Montiaceae
Montiaceae
Montiaceae is a family of flowering plants, comprising about 14 genera with some 500 species, ranging from herbaceous plants to shrubs. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution....
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
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. It commonly grows on well-drained slopes often on rocky slopes or in rock crevices from low elevation ponderosa pine
Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, Blackjack Pine, or Western Yellow Pine, is a widespread and variable pine native to western North America. It was first described by David Douglas in 1826, from eastern Washington near present-day Spokane...
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.
Distribution
Lewisiopsis can be found in the Wenatchee MountainsWenatchee Mountains
The Wenatchee Mountains are a range of mountains in central Washington State, United States of America. A major subrange of the Cascade Range, extending east from the Cascade crest, the Wenatchee Mountains separate the drainage basins of the Yakima River from the Wenatchee River...
and Methow Valley
Methow River
The Methow River is a tributary of the Columbia River in northern Washington in the United States. The river's watershed is , with a population of about 5,000 people. The Methow's watershed is characterized by relatively pristine habitats, with much of the river basin is located in national forests...
of Washington State, and in Manning Park of British Columbia. Populations may be found near Mount Stuart
Mount Stuart
Mount Stuart is a mountain in the Cascade Range, in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the second highest non-volcanic peak in the state, after Bonanza Peak and tenth-highest overall...
, 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 and ecology
Lewisiopsis is perennial. It is typically found at elevation of 1500 to 4500 ft (457.2 to 1,371.6 m). 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 (37.8 °C) in the summer time. In its native environment, Lewisiopsis can handle temperature below 30 °F (-1.1 °C) degrees, although the flowers may die.Cultivation
The nursery trade has taken some interest in cultivating Lewisiopsis because it is perennial, has showy blooms and it is drought tolerant. In wet climates, if the root crownRoot crown
A root crown is that part of a root system from which a stem arises. Since roots and stems have quite different vascular anatomies, major vascular changes take place at this point....
of the plant gets wet, it will die causing the death of the entire plant. If cultured, perfect drainage is required for survival. The use of broken or crushed rock mixed with humus will keep the plant alive. Placing a small rock under the crowns can prevent the crown from getting wet. The plant will not die of thirst because the leathery leaves and roots will store enough water.
Morphology
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
Evergreen
In botany, an evergreen plant is a plant that has leaves in all seasons. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs...
, smooth, succulent and light green leaves. The margins on the leaves are up to 1 feet (30.5 cm) long including the stems. The blades of the leaves are sometimes shallowly notched at the apex and are up to 2 inches (5 cm) wide and are ovate. The petiole
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
s are 0.4 inches (1 cm) 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 will be 8 inches (20.3 cm) in diameter.
Flowers and fruit
The flowers of Lewisiopsis, when matured, have thin small bractBract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
s. Along the stem are several scattered buds. There are eight to twelve broad petals that when mature will open widely creating what appears to be a cup-shaped blossom, up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) across. These petals are up to three inches in diameter with a cream colored such as apricot or pink near the tips of the petals. The petals are not individualist. As they age, they close and cling together being replaced by the lower petals. Inside of their small egg-shaped capsule contains up to 12 to 20 seeds. There are 12 to 15 stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s and 2 sepal
Sepal
A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms . Collectively the sepals form the calyx, which is the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. Usually green, sepals have the typical function of protecting the petals when the flower is in bud...
s. This plant does not produce any fruit.
Lewisiopsis flowers in May, June, and July, depending on elevation.