''Astilboides'', a genus of the
saxifrage
''Saxifraga'' is the largest genus in the family Saxifragaceae, containing about 465 species of holarctic perennial plants, known as saxifrages or rockfoils. The Latin word ''saxifraga'' means literally "stone-breaker", from Latin ' ("rock" or " ...
family containing only one species, ''Astilboides tabularis'', a
herbaceous perennial
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wid ...
once included in the genus ''
Rodgersia
'' Rodgersia aesculifolia''
''Rodgersia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the Saxifragaceae family. ''Rodgersia'' are herbaceous perennials originating from east Asia.
Taxonomy
The review of the genus by Pan Jin-tang, in 1994 recognises ...
''. It comes from China and differs from its former relatives mainly in its leaf shape. It is grown for its huge bright green, circular leaves to 36 in (90 cm) across with the stem attached to the center, and large fluffy racemes of tiny white flowers produced in summer.
The Latin
specific epithet ''tabularis'' means "tabular" or "flat",
referring to the leaf formation.
Cultivation
Grown best in moist soils in a cool sheltered spot. It is usually seen at its best near water. It bears very little resemblance to the genus ''
Astilbe
''Astilbe'' is a genus of 18 species of rhizome, rhizomatous flowering plants within the family (biology), family Saxifragaceae, native plant, native to mountain ravines and woodlands in Asia and North America. Some species are known by the comm ...
'' after which it was named. Propagate from seed or divisions when dormant.
References
*Lord, Tony (2003) Flora : The Gardener's Bible : More than 20,000 garden plants from around the world. London: Cassell.
Botanica Sistematica
{{Taxonbar, from=Q15281335
Garden plants
Saxifragaceae
Flora of China
Saxifragaceae genera
Monotypic Saxifragales genera