Bitterroot

Bitterroot
Lewisia rediviva var. rediviva in Wenas Wildlife Area, Washington

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Montiaceae
Genus: Lewisia
Species:
L. rediviva
Binomial name
Lewisia rediviva
Varieties
  • L. rediviva var. minor
  • L. rediviva var. rediviva
Synonyms
List
    • Lewisia alba Kellogg
    • Lewisia minor Rydb.
    • Lewisia rediviva subsp. minor (Rydb.) A.H.Holmgren

Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) is a small perennial herb in the family Montiaceae. Its specific epithet rediviva ("revived, reborn") refers to its ability to regenerate from dry and seemingly dead roots.

The genus Lewisia was moved in 2009 from the purslane family (Portulacaceae) with adoption of the APG III system, to the family Montiaceae.