Lewisia columbiana
| Lewisia columbiana | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Width: | 0.5' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Lewisia columbiana (common name: columbian bitterroot)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in a very freely draining soil[1]. Sow stored seed as soon as possible in a cold frame. One months cold stratification should improve germination, though this is still likely to be very slow. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in March/April. Very difficult.
Cultivation: Requires a very well-drained gritty humus-rich deep soil in a sunny position[2][3]. Prefers a neutral to acid soil and a position in semi-shade[4]. Best if given a north or north-east aspect in order to protect it from the midday sun[3]. Thrives on almost bare rock[2]. It might be worthwhile trying this species in a crevice of a sunny drystone wall[5]. This species prefers a moister soil than most members of the genus[4].
This species is not reliably hardy in Britain. It can withstand consistently very cold weather but does not like alternating periods of mild and cold conditions, nor does it like winter wet[2]. The plant is very susceptible to rotting at the neck in a damp soil[3].
A very ornamental plant[2], it is very apt to hybridize with other members of the genus[2].
Range: Western N. America - South British Columbia to California..
Habitat: Exposed gravel banks and rocky slopes[6].
Edibility: Root - cooked[7]. Said to be extremely nutritious. It is easiest to use when the plant is in flower because the outer layer of the root (which is very bitter) slips off easily at this time of the year. The root has a good taste though a decided bitter flavour develops afterwards[8][9].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Alpine Garden Society. Alpine Garden Society Bulletin Volume 56. Alpine Garden Society.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.