Saxifragaceae

Saxifrage Family

Family Description

This is a widely distributed group of dicotyledonous herbs (by some authorities woody shrubs and vines) which are primarily distributed in the north temperate zone, often in alpine habitats. If the woody genera are included, the family consists of 80 genera with 1200 species; excluding the woody genera, the family contains 30 genera and 850 species. Leaves are in a basal rosette or alternate for woody plants, palmately veined or variously toothed or lobed. Flowers are occasionally solitary but usually in few-flowered cymes or in many flowered racemes or panicles. Individual flowers are 5-merous, sometimes basally united to form a short tube. Flower color is usually white or pink (red). Stamens are 5 or 10. The fruit is a capsule.

Major diagnostic features for herbaceous species are:

• leaves in a basal rosette
• usually numerous small flowers borne in terminal panicles, racemes or cymes well above the foliage

Saxifrages are long lived once established. They are best suited to cool, moist but exceedingly well drained sites. Propagation is easy by division or seed. Seeds germinate readily at temperatures above 65°F, but seedlings are tiny and slow to develop. Pests are few.

This is an important family to the rock gardener. The following species are grown in gardens: Anopterus, Astilbe, Bauera, Bergenia, Bolandra, Boykinia, Cardiandra, Chrysosplenium, Decumaria, Deutzia (woody), Elmera, Francoa, Heuchera, X Heucherella, Hydrangea (woody), Itea (woody), Jamesia, Lithophragma, Mitella, Parnassia, Philadelphus (woody), Ribes (woody), Rodgersia, Saxifraga, Tellima, Tiarella, Tolmiea, and Whipplea.

Representative Species

LSU Horticulture Department Julian C. Miller Hall Baton Rouge, LA 70803 225.578.2158