SAXIFRAGACEAE

SAXIFRAGE FAMILY

Patrick E. Elvander

Perennial or subshrub from caudex or rhizome, generally ± hairy
Stem often ± leafy on lower half, rarely trailing and leafy throughout
Leaves generally simple, basal or sometimes cauline, generally alternate, generally petioled; veins ± palmate
Inflorescence: panicle, generally ± scapose
Flower generally bisexual, generally radial; hypanthium free to ± fused to ovary; calyx lobes generally 5; petals generally 5, free, generally clawed, generally white; stamens generally 5 or 10; pistils 2 and simple or 1 and compound (chambers 1–2, placentas 2–4, axile or parietal), ovary superior to inferior, sometimes more superior in fruit, styles generally 2
Fruit: 2 follicles or 2–4-valved capsule
Seeds generally many, small
Genera in family: 40 genera, 600 species: especially n temp, arctic, alpine; some cultivated (Bergenia , Darmera , Heuchera , Saxifraga , Tellima , Tolmiea )
Reference: [Soltis 1988 Syst Bot 13:64–72]

DARMERA

Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (Karl Darmer, German horticulturist, 19th century)
Reference: [Schmid & Turner 1977 Madroño 24:68–74]

Native

D. peltata (Torr.) Voss

INDIAN RHUBARB, UMBRELLA PLANT

Rhizome < 5 cm thick, fleshy, scaly; bulblets 0
Leaves basal, < 1.5 m; blade peltate, ± 10 dm, ± round, lobes deep, teeth irregular
Inflorescence appearing before leaves, 3–15 dm, ± flat-topped; bracts generally scale-like or 0
Flower: hypanthium minute, free from ovary; calyx lobes reflexed, 3–4 mm, elliptic; petals sessile, 5–7 mm, obovate, white to pink; stamens 10, 3–4 mm, filaments tapered; pistils 2, simple, ovaries superior
Fruit 2 follicles, 8–12 mm
Chromosomes: 2n=34
Ecology: Uncommon. Rocky streambanks
Elevation: < 2000 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada
Distribution outside California: sw Oregon
Synonyms: Peltiphyllum p. (Torr.) Engl
Horticultural information: WET: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17 &SHD: 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20.