Columbian Bitterroot (Lewisia columbiana var. rupicola)

Columbian Bitterroot is a native evergreen species of flowering plant from the Portulacaceae family. Its range extends from the rocky mountains of southern British Columbia to the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. It has also been identified along the Oregon coast and in the high desert of eastern Oregon. Specifically, the rupicola variety is commonly found on Mt. Rainer, the Olympic mountains, and on the Oregon coast. This hardy plant typically blooms in late spring to early summer, so right now is a great time to look for them. The inflorescence arises from multiple stems, each producing up to 100 flowers per plant. The flowers of Lewisia columbiana var. rupicola are a vibrant magenta with lavender streaks along each petal, grows 4-11 petals per flower, and averages about 30 cm in height. Its leaves are evergreen, succulent-like, basal, and blunt tipped with smooth margins. It has a short, thick taproot connected to a caudex that is reportedly bitter, thus earning its common name bitterroot. This herbaceous perennial grows best in mid to high elevations primarily along rocky outcrops with well draining soils and lots of sunlight. This makes it great choice for rock gardens with southern exposures. The other plants pictured are Lewisia cotyledon and Lewisia columbiana.