Saxifraga Tourn. ex L.

Ghazanfar, S. A. & Edmondson, J. R (Eds). (2014) Flora of Iraq, Volume 5 Part 2: Lythraceae to Campanulaceae.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, frequently caespitose herbs, more rarely annual, biennial or suffruticose, chiefly alpine

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate (rarely opposite), simple and entire, toothed or lobed, or tripartite with lobed segments, often thick in texture

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals (4–)5, imbricate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 5 (rarely 4 or absent), cuneate but scarcely clawed below, equal or more rarely unequal, imbricate; receptacle flat or concave, petals and stamens ± hypogynous, perigynous or epigynous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 10, rarely 8

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Carpels

Carpels 2 (rarely 3–5), fused below

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Styles free, at first connivent, later ± patent or reflexed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule opening along the upper inner suture of the carpels

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds numerous, small, usually ± verruculose.

Distribution

About 375 species, chiefly in the N Temperate regions and the Arctic; also on the Andes and one species in the Ethiopian mountains.

Note

Saxifraga (from Lat. saxis, stones, fractus, broken, alluding to the plant’s tendency to cling to rock crevices in alpine areas).