Micranthes integrifolia

Micranthes integrifolia
	Photo by Rod Gilbert, also featured on Main Page
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae;
Subkingdom:	Tracheobionta;
Phylum:	Spermatophyta;
Subphylum:	Magnoliophyta;
Class:	Magnoliopsida;
Subclass:	Saxifraganae;
Order:	Saxifragales;
Family:	Saxifragaceae;
Genus:	Micranthes Haw.;
Species:	Micranthes integrifolia (Hook.) Small;

Latin Name: Micranthes integrifolia
Family: Saxifragaceae
Common Names: Columbian saxifrage, swamp saxifrage, whole-leaf saxifrage
Synonyms/Misapplications: Saxifraga integrifolia, Saxifraga laevicarpa
Codon: MICINT

Taxonomy

^[1]

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.^[2]

Bloom Period

Late March - July^[2]

Distribution

West side of the Cascades, British Columbia to Lincoln County, Oregon, and in the Columbia River Gorge^[2]

Habitat

Prairies, grassy slopes and vernally moist areas, sea level to subalpine^[2] Swamp saxifrage prefers moister areas in prairies, such as near a stream or at the base of a tree.

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.^[3]

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

Photo Gallery

photo by Ben Legler
photo by Ben Legler

References

References & Notes

↑ http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=24278 Integrated Taxonomic Information System
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Saxifraga&Species=integrifolia Burke Museum University of Washington
↑ http://www.kadel.cz/flora/e/kvCard.asp-Id=5519.htm Rock Garden Plant Database

[1] ttp://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=24278 Integrated Taxonomic Information System

[Burke-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Saxifraga&Species=integrifolia Burke Museum University of Washington

[3] ttp://www.kadel.cz/flora/e/kvCard.asp-Id=5519.htm Rock Garden Plant Database

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