Lewisia rediviva Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept. 2:368. 1814. (Lewis, "On the banks of Clarck's River," = Bitterroot R., Mont.)
L. alba Kell. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 2:115, fig. 36. 1863. (No specimens or locality cited)

Bitterroot, or rockrose, is an unusual plant which grows along rocky ridges and in thin soils of basalt flats where it remains partially hidden among the rocks or in rock crevices until beautiful and delicate flowers are produced. Each flower has numerous petals, and stamen, and in this respect the bitterroot resembles cacti. The petals are approximately 1 inch long and vary in color from nearly white to deep rose and often have darker longitudinal stripes. The succulent leaves are small (1-3 inches long), club-shaped, and inconspicuous. All are borne at ground level or below from carrot-like roots. The fleshiness of the bitterroot reflects he water storing adaptation which parallels that of cacti and other "desert" succulents. The roots can survive extreme dehydration and because of this ability the name rediviva was applied.

In the past, bitterroot was dug by plains Indians and the roots were eaten after having been peeled and boiled. As the plants age the roots become woody and bitter thus the plants were collected early in the spring. The nutritious root is quite variable in its bitter qualities: some of them will be so bitter as to render them unpalatable. In any case, cooking removes most or all of the bitterness and improves the flavor. The root should be boiled to a jelly-like consistency which will frequently be of a pink color. The bitterness can be greatly reduced by peeling the root before boiling, to expose the white, starchy, and somewhat mucilaginous core. In early spring the bitter peel will slip off by vigorously rubbing the root between the hands.

This species was collected by Lewis and Clark along what is now known as the Bitterroot River in Montana. The genus was named in honor of Captain Meriwether Lewis by the noted German-born and -trained botanist Frederick Pursh.

Pursh was 33 years old working with a Dr. Barton in Philadelphia when Thomas Jefferson's friend Bernard McMahon wrote to Lewis recommending Pursh as the person to make scientific descriptions of the plants collected on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Pursh is often refered to as British since he published his well-known Flora in London.

The attractive bitterroot - the state flower of Montana - is widely distributed in the sagebrush steppe and along adjacent montane ridges. It flowers in early summer, after most lithosol associates.

Bitterroot Valley of Montana, through the EYES OF LARRY JAVORSKY

Page by Don Woodworth
http://www.televar.com/~donew

Wenatchee Chapter Washington Native Plant Society
http://www.televar.com/~donew/wwnps.html