Micranthes virginiensis - Early Saxifrage Home - Plant Profiles & Photos

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Micranthes virginiensis, early saxifrage, is a native herbaceous perennial plant that grows in rocky hill sides. It blooms in spring. It's older scientific name is Saxifraga virginiensis,

Flowers

The white flowers are about 1/4 inch wide with 5 petals, 5 sepals, 10 stamens and 2 pistils. They grow in clusters on upright stalks that are about 4-10 inches tall. The sepals are hairy and glandular.

Micranthes virginiensis - Early Saxifrage - Flower cluster, infloresence, close up Micranthes virginiensis - Early Saxifrage -  Flowers side view


 

Fruit

Micranthes virginiensis - Early Saxifrage fruit

In this photo the two pistils have developed into fruit. Also the hairy sepals can be seen.


 

Leaves

The leaves are basal. The margins are hairy and the surfaces are hairy and glandular. The flower stalks are hairy and also glandular near the flowers.

Micranthes virginiensis - Early Saxifrage  basal leaves Micranthes virginiensis - Early Saxifrage  basal leaves


 

Plant and Habitat

The plant grows in rocky outcropings and rocky hillsides

Micranthes virginiensis - Early Saxifrage Micranthes virginiensis - Early Saxifrage growing in rocky area


All photos by H & M Ling, 4/29/2015 (flowers) and 5/10/2009 (fruit), Washington Valley Park East, Bridgewater, NJ

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Additional information

Additional online information / references:

The USDA website shows the distribution in the US and Canada and where it is endangered: https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SAVI5

Plant description: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/early-saxifrage

Flora of North America: efloras.org

Other links:
http://uswildflowers.com/detail.php?SName=Micranthes%20virginiensis

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