[Saxifrages: The Genera Cascadia, Micranthes and Saxifraga West of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Brittle-leaved Saxifrage, Fleshy-leaved Saxifrage

Micranthes fragosa

Synonyms: Saxifraga fragosa, Saxifraga fragosa ssp. claytoniaefolia, Saxifraga fragosa var. fragosa, Saxifraga integrifolia var. claytoniaefolia, Saxifraga integrifolia var. claytoniifolia, Saxifraga nidifica, Saxifraga nidifica var. claytoniifolia

Peak saxifrage as seen at left along Eight Mile Creek between Washington Highway SR14 and The Dalles Mt. Road in the Columbia Hills State Park.........May 7, 2011. The photo at right shows the distinctive spade-shaped basal leaves (with the base of the blade abruptly tapered in to the petiole) of brittle-leaved saxifrage as seen at Catherine Creek, Columbia River Gorge.......February 27, 2018.

Characteristics:

Brittle-leaved saxifrage is a perennial with a single erect stem, from 10-30 cm high arising from a cluster of basal leaves. The stems lack leaves and are unbranched (except as part of the inflorescence). The leaves are variable according to the variety, but are generally have elliptic, lanceolate, rhombic-ovate or triangular blades with short to long petioles The thick blade is usually 2-4 cm in length, but may occasionally reach as long as 12 cm. The width ranges from 1-2 cm wide but on occasion, may be as much as 6 cm. The leaf margins are usually entire, but occasionally may be lightly toothed.

The inflorescence is a cymose-panicle. The 5 petals may be white, yellowish, or greenish-white, or they may be absent. They range from 2-3 mm long and ovate, elliptic, or obovate in shape.

Habitat:

Brittle-leaved saxifrage may be found on prairies, grassy slopes, and meadows which are seasonally moist in the spring but dry in the summer.

Range:

Brittle-leaved saxifrage may be found from British Columbia south to California and east to central Idaho and Nevada.

Paul Slichter