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]

SAXIFRAGOPSIS

Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (Greek: like Saxifraga)

Native

S. fragarioides (Greene) Small

Plant ± glandular; caudex thick, woody, branched, scaly; bulblets 0
Stem thick, woody, trailing
Leaves basal, a few cauline, reduced, merging into sessile, linear bracts upward; petiole 1.5–4 cm, base expanded, membranous; blade 1.5–4 cm, obovate, jointed to petiole and falling from it, base tapered, teeth coarse
Inflorescence: panicle, 10–25 cm, open below and between ± dense clusters; flowers > 40
Flower: hypanthium partly fused to ovary; calyx lobes 2–3 mm, spreading to reflexed, elliptic to ovate; petals 2–3 mm, obovate; stamens 10; pistil 1, ovary ± half inferior, chambers 2, placentas 2, axile, styles 2, fused at base at least in flower
Fruit: capsule
Ecology: Uncommon. Rock crevices
Elevation: 1500–3000 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges
Distribution outside California: sw Oregon
Synonyms: Saxifraga f. Greene
Horticultural information: DRN: 4, 5 &IRR: 6, 17 &SHD: 1, 2, 3, 7, 15, 16.