Taxon Report

Lewisia taylorii O'Brien et al.

Trinity lewisia

Print Report


© 2016 Sierra Pacific Industries

Taxon Summary

Lewisia taylorii, commonly known as Trinity lewisia, is a perennial herb in the Montiaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, and Lower montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 780 to 1275 meters. Lewisia taylorii is ranked 1B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.


Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: May-Jun May-Jun
Elevation: 780-1275 (2560-4185)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Lower montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat: Gravelly, Rocky, Shale
Microhabitat Details: On rocky exposures derived from members of the Bragdon formation.

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 0
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 0
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)

Notes

Threats:
Potentially threatened by OHV use, road and fuel break construction, timber harvest activities, and vegetation encroachment.
Taxonomy:
Discovered in 2010. Genetically distinct from L. kelloggii and differs in bract and sepal characters (glandless and usually entire to occasionally few-toothed vs usually with many gland-tipped teeth), greater number of stamens (17-40 vs 8-36), and shorter styles (5-17 mm vs 0-32 mm).

Selected References

Proposed addition to CRPR 1B.3, G2G3 / S2S3 (2025)
Madroño 71(3): 136–142 (2024)
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 August 2025].