Micranthes integrifolia

From Puget Prairie Plants
  • Scientific Name: Micranthes integrifolia
  • Family: Saxifragaceae
  • Common Names: Columbian saxifrage, swamp saxifrage, whole-leaf saxifrage
  • Synonyms/Misapplications: Saxifraga integrifolia, Saxifraga laevicarpa
  • Codon: MICINT

Photo by Rod Gilbert, also featured on Main Page

Taxonomy

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Viridiplantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Spermatophytina
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Saxifraganae
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Saxifragaceae
Genus: Micranthes Haw.
Species: Micranthes integrifolia (Hook.) Small

[1]

Description

A somewhat hairy perennial, the leafless flowering stems usually growing singly from a rhizome, reaching 10-30 cm in height.

Leaves for a basal rosette, and have smooth margins, a visible center vein, and are rounded.[2]

The inflorescence is a short, compact panicle, subtended by a leafy, rusty-woolly bracts. The calyx is broadly conic, the 5 lobes oblong-lanceolate, 1-2 mm. long and reflexed. Individual flowers have 5 white, obovate petals, 1.5-3 mm. long, at least half as broad as long. Stamens number 10 and are short, awl-shaped.[3]

Ovaries are green and can turn red as fruit attached.[2]

Bloom Period

Late March - July[3]

Distribution

West side of the Cascades, British Columbia to Lincoln County, Oregon, and in the Columbia River Gorge[3]

Habitat

Prairies, grassy slopes and vernally moist areas, sea level to subalpine[3]

Swamp saxifrage prefers moister areas in prairies, such as near a stream or at the base of a tree.[2]

Uses

Used ornamentally in rock gardens

Propagation

Can be propagated by seed, division or cuttings.
Seed should be planted in winter and barely covered. Germination takes place in 1 to 3 months at 16-21°C
Division should be done after flowering.
Cuttings in should be taken in late summer.[4]

Seed

Average Measurement: 0.8 x 0.4 x 0.3

Measurement Range: L: 0.6 – 0.8, W: 0.2 – 0.5, D: 0.2 – 0.4

Features

Shape: Seed narrowed at hilum and opposite apex, forming points. Middle between hilum and opposite apex rounded. Hilum is puckered.

Color: Seeds golden brown, and slightly darker at hilum.

Surface: Seeds bumpy and longitudinally ridged. Seeds are slightly lustrous.

Latitudinal Cross Section: elliptical MIIN lat.png

Latitudinal Cross Section: elliptical MIIN long.png


Photo Gallery

References

  1. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved from https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=895012
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bowcutt, F., & Hamman, Sarah. (2016). Vascular plants of the South Sound prairies (First ed.). Olympia, Washington: The Evergreen State College Press.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Saxifraga&Species=integrifolia Burke Museum University of Washington
  4. http://www.kadel.cz/flora/e/kvCard.asp-Id=5519.htm Rock Garden Plant Database