Lewisia rediviva - Bitter Root

Description

This wide ranging rock garden plant is known locally from the serpentine hills near Almaden Canyon. It is also found in rocky or sandy ground, talus, clay, granite and shale, in open woodlands and sagebrush shrublands with pine, oak or juniper. Flowers appear from March through June and are white or pink. The roots were once food for native Americans. They are bitter if taken after flowering, hence the common name, Bitter Root. In your garden provide a well drained site and let the soil dry until the fall rains once the plant has finished flowering.