Brewerimitella is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the saxifrage family, Saxifragaceae (order Saxifragales). The genus includes two species native to western North America, ranging from California and Nevada northward to Montana, Alberta, and British Columbia. Both species were previously classified within the genus Mitella — Brewerimitella breweri (formerly Mitella breweri) and Brewerimitella ovalis (formerly Mitella ovalis). The genus was erected in 2021 by Ryan A. Folk and Yudai Okuyama, elevating Adolf Engler's 1890 section Mitella sect. Brewerimitella to full genus rank. These are herbaceous perennials of shaded, moist woodland habitats.
Taxonomy
The genus Brewerimitella was first described as Mitella sect. Brewerimitella by Adolf Engler in 1890, then elevated to full genus rank by Ryan A. Folk and Yudai Okuyama in 2021. Both constituent species — B. breweri and B. ovalis — were previously classified in the genus Mitella. The genus name combines "Brewer" (honoring American botanist William Henry Brewer) with "Mitella," the parent genus.
Distribution
Brewerimitella is endemic to western North America. Brewerimitella breweri has the broader range, occurring from Alberta and British Columbia south through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and California. Brewerimitella ovalis is more restricted, found from British Columbia south to California through Washington and Oregon.
