Rusty Saxifrage, Russethair Saxifrage, Alaska Saxifrage, Vreeland's Rusty Saxifrage
Micranthes ferruginea
Synonyms: Saxifraga ferruginea, Saxifraga ferruginea var. ferruginea, Saxifraga ferruginea var. foliacea, Saxifraga ferruginea var. macounii, Saxifraga ferruginea var. vreelandii, Saxifraga vreelandii
The photo above shows a close-up view of the
flower of rusty saxifrage as seen along the Highline Trail #114 at about 7850'
on cliffs at the eastern edge of the Devils Garden..........July 24,
2005. Note the pair of yellow dots at the base of the petal blade, which tapers
abruptly to a narrow claw or base.
A somewhat fuzzy view of the underside of the
flower of rusty saxifrage (var. vreelandii). Note how each spade-shaped petal
narrows abruptly to the "claw", a narrow base of the petal. Note also
that the sepals are sharply reflexed downward.
The photo above shows a small plantlet which
grows from a growth zone on the stem of rusty saxifrage (var. vreelandii).
Such plantlets or bulbils commonly take the place of flowers on this variety
of saxifrage. photographed along the Round the Mt. Trail #9 in Bird Creek Meadows.........August
13, 2006.
Part of one branch of rusty saxifrage, showing
several plantlets which are characteristic of variety vreelandii.........August
13, 2006.
The photo above shows a close-up view of the
basal leaves of rusty saxifrage as seen near the trailhead for Bird Creek Meadows
at the southeastern corner of Mt. Adams..........July 30, 2005. Note
the numerous wedge-shaped basal leaves with large teeth on the margins only
near the tip, and spreading hairs along the lower margin.
A close-up of one basal leaf of rusty saxifrage (var. vreelandii).........August
13, 2006.
Paul Slichter