Rusty-hair Saxifrage, Rusty-haired Saxifrage

The photo above shows the scape and inflorescence of western saxifrage as seen on moist cliffs at Oneonta Gorge in the Columbia River Gorge.........April, 2000. Because of the flat-topped inflorescence, and reddish-purple tinge to the bracts and underside of the leaves, this photo probably represents varitey rufidula, which is found in the Columbia River Gorge, and west of the Cascade Range to the coast. Hitchcock states that variety allenii is represented on the southern slopes of Mt. Adams, and on the upper elevation slopes of the east side of the Cascade Range. Its inflorescence is more pyramidal and the scapes and bracts tend to be less purplish tinged. I have yet to see western saxifrage on Mt. Adams, so will have to wait to describe it more clearly at a later date.

The photo above shows the distinctive, toothed basal leaves of western saxifrage as seen on vernally moist cliffs at Oneonta Gorge in the Columbia River Gorge.........April, 2000.