Taxon Report

Lewisia congdonii (Rydb.) S. Clay

Congdon's lewisia

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Lewisia congdonii, commonly known as Congdon's lewisia, is a perennial herb in the Montiaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Lower montane coniferous forest, Upper montane coniferous forest, and Valley and foothill grassland, growing at elevations from 500 to 2800 meters. Lewisia congdonii is ranked 1B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Lewisia congdonii (Rydb.) S. Clay
Common Name:	Congdon's lewisia
Family:	Montiaceae
Element Code:	PDPOR04040
USDA Plants Symbol:	LECO4
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jun	Apr-Jun
Elevation:	500-2800 (1640-9185)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Lower montane coniferous forest, Upper montane coniferous forest, Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat:	Granitic (sometimes), Mesic, Metamorphic (sometimes), Rocky
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.3
Global Rank:	G2
State Rank:	S2
State List:	CR
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	SB_UCSC; USFS_S
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	10
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	2
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	8

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Fresno (FRE), Mariposa (MPA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
El Portal (3711967), Hume (3611878), Wawona (3711956), Wren Peak (3611877)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	5
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	2	20 %
Road/trail construction/maint.	2	20%
Biocides	1	10%
Erosion/runoff	1	10%
Mining	1	10%
Over-collecting/poaching	1	10%

Notes



Known from approximately ten occurrences in the canyons of the Kings and Merced rivers. Threatened by exotic plant control, illegal dumping, and road maintenance. See North American Flora 21:328 (1932) for original description, and Fremontia 25(1):15-19 (1997) for genetic study of relationship to L. cantelovii and L. serrata.
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 14 November 2025].