Lewisia

Lewisia, a genus of plants, of the natural order Portulacaceæ (see PURSLANE), named in honour of the American traveller, Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809). L. rediviva is found in the regions of his explorations, on the west side of the Rocky Mountains. Its thick, branching roots are gathered and are highly valued by the Indians as nutritive, and also as restorative. It has a showy rose-coloured flower. Another species, L. brachy-calyx, is found in Utah.