[The Saxifrage Family in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Coast Boykinia, Coastal Brookfoam, Slender Boykinia

Boykinia occidentalis

Synonyms: Boykinia cincinnata, Boykinia elata, Boykinia vancouverensis, Therofon cincinnatum

Inflorescence of Coast Boykinia, Coastal Brookfoam, Slender Boykinia: Boykinia occidentalis (Synonyms: Boykinia cincinnata, Boykinia elata, Boykinia vancouverensis, Therofon cincinnatum)

Coast boykinia from Saddle Mt. State Park, Coast Range, OR.

Coast Boykinia, Coastal Brookfoam, Slender Boykinia: Boykinia occidentalis (Synonyms: Boykinia cincinnata, Boykinia elata, Boykinia vancouverensis, Therofon cincinnatum) Photo at right of coast boykinia from Saddle Mt. State Park, Coast Range, OR.
Characteristics:

Coast boykinia is a perennial with slender, leafy stems from 15-60 cm high arising from several basal leaves. The stem may be sparsely glandular-hairy, sometimes red- or brown- woolly below. The leaves are orbicular, sharply cleft 5-7 times, the lobes toothed and with sharp points.. The leaves are thin and have smooth surfaces except for the veins below. The leaves are 4-8 cm wide. The basal and lower leaves of the stem have long, slender petioles which are glandular-hairy, while the upper leaves become sessile. The stem leaves are alternate.

The inflorescence is an open, loose panicle. The white flowers have 5 petals which are 5-6 mm long and are broadly spatulate or obovate in shape. The calyx is is bell-shaped and about 4 mm long.


Habitat:

Coast boykinia may be found in moist shady woods and along streams.


Range:

Coast boykinia may be found between the coast and the western slopes of the Cascades from British Columbia south to southern Oregon, and south along the coast and in the Sierra Nevada of California.

In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between the elevations 800'-2800' along the Washougal River in Washington and between Crown Pt. and Larch Mt..


Coast Boykinia, Coastal Brookfoam, Slender Boykinia: Boykinia occidentalis (Synonym: Boykinia elata)


Paul Slichter