Taxon Report

Lewisia brachycalyx Gray

short-sepaled lewisia

Print Report


Gerald and Buff Corsi © 2002 California Academy of Sciences

Taxon Summary

Lewisia brachycalyx, commonly known as short-sepaled lewisia, is a perennial herb in the Montiaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Lower montane coniferous forest, and Meadows and seeps, growing at elevations from 1370 to 2300 meters. Lewisia brachycalyx is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Lewisia brachycalyx Gray
Common Name:
 short-sepaled lewisia
Family: Montiaceae
Element Code: PDPOR04010
USDA Plants Symbol: LEBR
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: (Feb)Apr-Jun(Jul) (Feb)Apr-Jun(Jul)
Elevation: 1370-2300 (4495-7545)
General Habitats: Lower montane coniferous forest, Meadows and seeps
Microhabitat: Mesic
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.2
Global Rank: G4
State Rank:
 S2
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: USFS_S
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 15
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 2
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 13

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Los Angeles (LAX), San Bernardino (SBD), San Diego (SDG)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Big Bear City (3411637), Big Bear Lake (3411628), Cuyamaca Peak (3211685), Fawnskin (3411638), Julian (3311615), Mount San Antonio (3411736)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 4
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
4 27 %
Development 3 20%
Foot traffic/trampling 1 6%
Recreational use (non-ORV) 1 6%
Road/trail construction/maint. 1 6%

Notes
Possibly threatened by recreational activities and vehicles. See Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 7:400 (1868) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 11 November 2025].