Columbia Lewisia (Lewisia columbiana)

Hamilton Mountain Trail, Columbia Gorge, WA, 6/2015.

This member of the purslane family prefers rocky cliffs, making it difficult to get good close-ups of it without risking life and limb.  The  striped white to darker pink flowers might be confused with the similarly sized and colored spring beauty, but this purslane has more petals-  usually seven or more, and can be identified by its thick, fleshy leaves and its reddish stems.

While the northwest boasts several lewisia species, only this one and redviva are found in the Columbia Gorge.

Hamilton Mountain Trail, Columbia Gorge, WA 6/2016.

Hamilton Mountain Trail, Columbia Gorge, WA 6/2016.

 

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