Micranthes integrifolia

Micranthes integrifolia

photo by Ben Legler

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.

Bloom Period

Late March - July

Distribution

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

Habitat

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

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.

References

References & Notes

Micranthes integrifolia -1

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