Cantelow's lewisia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cantelow's lewisia
Scientific classification
Genus:	Lewisia
Species:	cantelovii

Lewisia cantelovii, also known as Cantelow's lewisia, is a rare and beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Montiaceae family. This plant is special because it is endemic to California. This means it grows naturally only in certain mountain areas of California. You can find it in the northeastern mountain ranges, like the Klamath Mountains and the northern Sierra Nevada.

Cantelow's lewisia loves to grow in rocky, damp places high up in the mountains. It is a perennial herb, which means it lives for many years.

What Does Cantelow's Lewisia Look Like?

This unique plant grows from a short, thick taproot and a sturdy stem base. It has a circle of thick, fleshy leaves at its base. These leaves are shaped like spoons with blunt tips. Their edges are also serrated, meaning they have small, saw-like teeth.

The Flower Stalk

The plant sends up a very thin, straight stem that can grow up to 45 centimeters (about 18 inches) tall. This stem is called an inflorescence. At the top of this stem, you'll find a spreading cluster of beautiful flowers. There are also small, leaf-like parts called bracts near the flowers. These bracts have tiny glands and jagged edges.

The Flowers Themselves

Each flower of Cantelow's lewisia has 5 to 7 oval-shaped petals. These petals are about half to one centimeter long. They are usually white or a very light pink color. You can often see sharp, dark pink veins running through the petals, making them look even more striking. In the middle of each flower, there are five stamens. These are the male parts of the flower, and they have dark pink tips called anthers. Anthers are where the pollen is made.