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]

LITHOPHRAGMA

WOODLAND STAR

Rhizome slender, scaleless, bearing bulblets
Leaves basal and cauline, reduced, sometimes opposite, more deeply lobed upward; blade round, base cordate to reniform, ± lobed, generally toothed
Inflorescence: raceme; bracts scale-like or 0
Flower: hypanthium generally partly fused to ovary; petals generally lobed or toothed; stamens 10; pistil 1, ovary superior to ± inferior, chamber 1, placentas 3, parietal, styles 3
Fruit: capsule, valves 3
Species in genus: 12 species: w North America
Etymology: (Greek: rock hedge, from habitats)
Reference: [Taylor 1965 U Calif Publs Bot 37:1–122]
Generic names ending in "phragma" are considered of neuter, not feminine, gender.

Native

L. parviflorum (Hook.) Torr. & A. Gray

Leaf: basal blade deeply 3-lobed to ± palmately compound, lobes lobed, teeth ± sharp-tipped
Inflorescence 10–50 cm; flowers 4–14; pedicels 3–7 mm
Flower: hypanthium long-obconic, part fused to ovary > free part; petals 7–16 mm, generally obovate, 3-lobed; ovary > half inferior
Seed smooth
Chromosomes: 2n=14,21,28,35
Ecology: Open areas
Elevation: < 3000 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges, North Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range Foothills, San Francisco Bay Area, South Coast Ranges, Western Transverse Ranges, Modoc Plateau
Distribution outside California: to British Columbia, South Dakota

Native

var. trifoliatum (Eastw.) Jeps.

Flower fragrant; hypanthium 3–4 X longer than wide; petals pink
Seed 0.6–0.8 mm
Chromosomes: 2n=28
Ecology: Habitat of sp.
Elevation: < 600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Cascade Range Foothills, Sierra Nevada Foothills
Synonyms: L. t. Eastw
Seeds generally sterile.