Micranthes virginiensis (Michx.) Small

Early Saxifrage

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Early Saxifrage is a native herbaceous perennial in the Saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae). It is native to the northern half of Alabama. Early Saxifrage occurs in rocky woods, on cliff faces and outcrops, on roadside banks, and in cedar glades. It is a perennial from a caudex or short rhizome producing bulbils. The leaves occur in a basal rosette. The leaves are petiolate, ovate to elliptic in outline, sparsely to densely pubescent with reddish-brown hairs, stipitate glandular, with crenate or serrate margins. The leaves are thick and fleshy. Fragrant flowers are produced in a flat-topped thyrsus with 30+ individual flowers. The stalk of the inflorescence is pubescent and stipitate glandular. Individual flowers have 5 green sepals, 5 white petals, and 10 stamens. The fruit is a capsule. Early Saxifrage is one of the first wildflowers to bloom in the early spring. It is sometimes sold for use in rock gardens. It is easily grown from seed.—A. Diamond.

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Native

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