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]

CHRYSOSPLENIUM

GOLDEN SAXIFRAGE

Plant glabrous; caudex without scales or bulblets
Stem prostrate to ascending, rooting at nodes
Leaves cauline, opposite to sometimes alternate; blade round to ovate, base generally truncate, teeth round
Inflorescence: flower solitary, axillary
Flower: hypanthium fused to ovary; calyx lobes 4, petal-like; petals 0; stamens 8; pistil 1, ovary inferior to half inferior, chamber 1, placentas 2, parietal
Fruit: capsule
Species in genus: 15 species: n temp, s South America
Etymology: (Greek: gold spleen)

Native

C. glechomifolium Nutt.

Leaf 7–30 mm; petiole < 10 mm; blade 5–20 mm wide
Flower: calyx lobes 1.5–2 mm, elliptic; stamens ± 1 mm; nectaries 2, surrounding ovary, each with 4 lobes alternate stamens
Chromosomes: 2n=18
Ecology: Uncommon. Shady wet areas
Elevation: < 200 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast
Distribution outside California: to British Columbia