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Saxifraga oppositifolia (Purple mountain saxifrage)
Clagett, Majorie

Saxifraga oppositifolia L.

Purple mountain saxifrage

Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)

USDA Symbol: SAOP

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A low, matted, showy saxifrage, not more than 2 in. high. The tightly packed stems are dense with overlapping, opposite leaves. The slim, pointed foliage is fringed on the margins with stiff, rigid hairs as are the margins of the five blunt lobes of the flowers. The attractively crimped, magenta or purple petals are accented by the brownish orange anthers. A dense, little cushion plant with oval leaves, often tinged with maroon, and bright reddish-lavender flowers.

The richly colored flowers are unusual in this genus, which commonly has white ones. The plant resembles Moss Pink (Silene acaulis), which is distinguished from it by 3 styles and generally a notch in the end of the slender petals.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , ID , MT , NY , OR , VT , WA , WY
Canada: NL , NS , QC
Native Distribution: Lab. to AK, s. to VT, Rockies to n. WY & mts. of WA & OR
Native Habitat: Tundra; arctic coastal bluffs; alpine acree; rock crevices
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), GL(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Best grown from seed.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Saxifraga oppositifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Saxifraga oppositifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Saxifraga oppositifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-09-26
Research By: TWC Staff

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