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]

TOLMIEA

PIG-A-BACK PLANT

Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (W.F. Tolmie, Hudson's Bay Co. physician, Fort Vancouver, 1812–1886)

Native

T. menziesii (Pursh) Torr. & A. Gray

Plant ± hairy, glandular; rhizome scaly; bulblets 0
Leaves basal and cauline, 8–40 cm, reduced upward; stipules 3–8 mm, elliptic, leaf-like, with irregular teeth and short bristles; blade 3–10 cm wide, ovate, base generally cordate, sometimes bearing plantlets, lobes shallow, teeth sharp
Inflorescence: raceme, 10–80 cm; bracts scale-like
Flower bilateral; hypanthium free of ovary; calyx cleft between lower 2 lobes, upper 3 larger; petals 4, 8–12 mm, thread-like, brown-purple; stamens 3, opposite upper 3 sepals; pistil 1, ovary superior, chamber 1, placentas 2, parietal
Fruit: capsule, opening by 2 equal valves
Seed spiny
Chromosomes: 2n=28
Ecology: Moist banks, cliffs
Elevation: < 1800 m.
Bioregional distribution: Northwestern California, n Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area
Distribution outside California: to Alaska
Horticultural information: WET, DRN: 4, 5, 17 &SHD: 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; GRCVR; CVS.