Lewisia longipetala ‘Little Plum’ (Bitterroot)

Little Plum is a treasured little rock garden plant with wands of plum flowers from spring through fall over a low rosette of succulent foliage. Happiest in sun with sharp drainage. Deer resistant. Low water. Ht 6” x W 8” Perennial Zones 3-10

Edible Bitterroot: Bitterroot is edible and was a nutritious staple of many Native American tribes. All species of Lewisia are edible. Lewisia rediva has an especially large taproot and was preferred. The starchy root, resembling a forked radish is harvested in spring before it flowers, because the root becomes more bitter as the season progresses. It’s the outermost sheath on the roots that has the bitter taste. In spring it slips off more readily. It can have a mucilaginous texture much like okra. It was usually ponded down and boiled, often added to other edible plants as a thickener in soups.

Note: Harvesting wild Bitterroot will certainly kill the plant, so please be respectful and practice sustainable harvesting. I believe we should all know about the edibility of the plants we share a home with, but perhaps it would be best to refrain from harvesting unless there’s a zombie apocalypse or something!