TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) previous taxon | next taxon
Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora.

    THIS PAGE IS NO LONGER UPDATED
    AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY
  • Up-to-date information about California vascular plants is available from the Jepson eFlora.

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. maximum Bacig.

SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND WOODLAND STAR


Leaf: basal blade palmately compound, leaflets 3, lobed, teeth sharp
Inflorescence 40–60 cm; flowers 6–25; pedicels ± 1 mm
Flower: hypanthium spheric to bell-shaped, part fused to ovary generally < free part; petals 3.5–4.5 mm, ovate, ± 5-lobed; ovary < half inferior
Seed spiny
Ecology: Steep, moist, n-facing canyon slopes
Elevation: < 400 m.
Bioregional distribution: s Channel Islands (San Clemente Island).Threatened by feral goats, erosion.

previous taxon | next taxon
bioregional map for LITHOPHRAGMA%20maximum being generated
 


Retrieve Jepson Interchange Index to Plant Names entry for Lithophragma maximum
Retrieve dichotomous key for Lithophragma
Return to treatment index page
Glossary
University & Jepson Herbaria Home Page | Copyright © by the Regents of the University of California