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Clagett, Marjorie

Saxifraga oppositifolia

Saxifraga oppositifolia L.

Purple Mountain Saxifrage

Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: SAOP

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N)

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.

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