Portulacaceae

Lewisia triphylla

Three-Leaf Lewisia

Stems weak, sprawling, topped with flowers. Leaves 2–5, thread-like, to 2 1/2 in. long, only on upper part of stem. Flowers small in loose clusters of 1–10. Petals 5–9, with rounded tips, often with pink pencil lines, white or pink, stamens 3–5, stigmas 3–5. Grows in damp sand, wet gravelly slopes, damp meadows where snows are late to melt, at mid- to alpine elevations. First found and noted (though not collected) by Meriwether Lewis, this is the only lewisia without a basal rosette.

• Rarity: Uncommon
• Flowering Time: Early Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 1--4 inches
• Habitat: Alpine, Subalpine, Shrub-Steppe, Vernal Wet
• Found In: Siskiyous, Great Basin, Wallowas, Steens, Mt. Rainier Np, Crater Lake Np, N Cascades Np
• Native: Yes