Difference between revisions of "Micranthes integrifolia"

Revision as of 12:09, 7 May 2012

Micranthes integrifolia

photo by Rod Gilbert

Micranthes integrifolia, commonly known as whole-leaf saxifrage or swamp saxifrage is a perennial herb in the Saxifragaceae family.

Synonyms:

• Saxifraga integrifolia

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass: Rosidae

Order: Rosales

Family: Saxifragaceae – Saxifrage family

Genus: Micranthjes – saxifrage

Species: Micranthes integrifolia Hook. – wholeleaf saxifrage

Description

A somewhat hairy perennial, the leafless flowering stems usually growing singly from a rhizome, reaching 10-30 cm in height. Leaves form a basal rosette with no cauline leaves. The blades are 2-5 cm long, narrowly rhombic to rhombic-ovate, narrowed gradually to short, broad petioles. Prominent marginal hairs line the leaves and are rusty-woolly on the lower surface.

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.^[1]

Bloom Period

Late March - July^[1]

Distribution

West side of the Cascades, British Columbia to Lincoln County, Oregon, and in the Columbia River Gorge^[1]

Habitat

Prairies, grassy slopes and vernally moist areas, sea level to subalpine^[1]

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.^[2]

Photo Gallery

• 

  photo by Ben Legler

• 

  photo by Ben Legler

• 

  photo by Shaun Hubbard

References

References & Notes

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Saxifraga&Species=integrifolia Burke Museum University of Washington
2. ↑ http://www.kadel.cz/flora/e/kvCard.asp-Id=5519.htm Rock Garden Plant Database

Seed

Abbreviation: MIIN

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

Latitudinal Cross Section: elliptical