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]

MITELLA

BISHOP'S CAP

Rhizome scaly; bulblets 0
Leaves basal, sometimes a few cauline or arising from rhizome; blade ovate to round, base ± cordate, ± lobed, generally toothed
Inflorescence: raceme or spike, ± 1-sided; bracts generally scale-like
Flower: hypanthium ± fused to ovary; petals 5, pinnately lobed, not clawed; stamens generally 5; pistil 1, ovary generally > half inferior, chamber 1, placentas 2, parietal
Fruit: capsule, ± circumscissile
Species in genus: 12 species: temp to arctic North America, Asia
Etymology: (Latin: small cap, from fruit)

Native

M. pentandra Hook.

Leaves basal; petiole generally glabrous; blade 1.5–8 cm wide, ovate, lobes 5–9, teeth sharp
Inflorescence 1–4 dm, blooming bottom to top; pedicels 2–7 mm
Flower: hypanthium 3–5 mm wide, saucer-shaped; petals green, lobes 5–10, generally opposite, linear; stamens opposite petals; styles unlobed or each shallowly 2-lobed at tip
Chromosomes: 2n=14
Ecology: Streambanks, wet meadows
Elevation: 1500–2500 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges, High North Coast Ranges, High Cascade Range, High Sierra Nevada, Warner Mountains
Distribution outside California: to Alaska, Colorado
Horticultural information: WET: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 16, 17 &SHD: 7, 15.