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''Saxifraga bryoides'' is a
Mossy saxifrage is a low growing, evergreen perennial plant forming dense mats of foliage which seldom exceed in height. The leaves are linear lanceolate fringed with bristly hairs. The leaves curl together in winter and this form of growth is typical of plants growing at high altitudes and under cold conditions because it conserves energy. The leaves in the mat are about long while those that are found on the flowering stem are long. The leaf buds in the axils of the leaves are at least as long as the protecting leaves, a fact that distinguishes this species from the rather similar rough saxifrage, '' Saxifraga aspera''. The two species also occupy rather different habitats with the mossy saxifrage being found at higher altitudes, favouring rocky, exposed positions, while the rough saxifrage is often found on damp rocks by streams. The flowers are borne singly on erect stems and are relatively large. The stems are slightly hairy and are often tinged red, as are the five calyx lobes. There are usually five (occasionally six) petals which are oval and do not overlap each other. They are white with the lower half copiously dotted with yellow spots. The ten stamens with orange anthers are in two whorls, with the longer stamens occupying the gaps between the petals. The ovary is superior, the style has two stigmas and the fruit is a two celled capsule. The flowers can be seen in July and August.''Saxifraga aspera''
Schede di botanica: Plants profile. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of 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 " ...
known by the common name of mossy saxifrage. In German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
it is known as '. It is an inhabitant of the Arctic tundra but it also grows in the Alps and other European mountain ranges at high altitudes.
Description
Mossy saxifrage is a low growing, evergreen perennial plant forming dense mats of foliage which seldom exceed in height. The leaves are linear lanceolate fringed with bristly hairs. The leaves curl together in winter and this form of growth is typical of plants growing at high altitudes and under cold conditions because it conserves energy. The leaves in the mat are about long while those that are found on the flowering stem are long. The leaf buds in the axils of the leaves are at least as long as the protecting leaves, a fact that distinguishes this species from the rather similar rough saxifrage, '' Saxifraga aspera''. The two species also occupy rather different habitats with the mossy saxifrage being found at higher altitudes, favouring rocky, exposed positions, while the rough saxifrage is often found on damp rocks by streams. The flowers are borne singly on erect stems and are relatively large. The stems are slightly hairy and are often tinged red, as are the five calyx lobes. There are usually five (occasionally six) petals which are oval and do not overlap each other. They are white with the lower half copiously dotted with yellow spots. The ten stamens with orange anthers are in two whorls, with the longer stamens occupying the gaps between the petals. The ovary is superior, the style has two stigmas and the fruit is a two celled capsule. The flowers can be seen in July and August.''Saxifraga aspera''Schede di botanica: Plants profile. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
Distribution and habitat
Mossy saxifrage is mainly a plant of the Arctictundra
In physical geography, tundra () is a type of biome where tree growth is hindered by frigid temperatures and short growing seasons. The term ''tundra'' comes through Russian (') from the Kildin Sámi word (') meaning "uplands", "treeless moun ...
. It is one of only two species in the section ''Trachyphyllum'' that occurs at high altitudes in continental Europe, the other being ''Saxifraga aspera''. It occurs in the Alps
The Alps () ; german: Alpen ; it, Alpi ; rm, Alps ; sl, Alpe . are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately across seven Alpine countries (from west to east): France, Sw ...
, the Pyrenees
The Pyrenees (; es, Pirineos ; french: Pyrénées ; ca, Pirineu ; eu, Pirinioak ; oc, Pirenèus ; an, Pirineus) is a mountain range straddling the border of France and Spain. It extends nearly from its union with the Cantabrian Mountains to C ...
, the Carpathians
The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians () are a range of mountains forming an arc across Central Europe. Roughly long, it is the third-longest European mountain range after the Ural Mountains, Urals at and the Scandinavian Mountains at . The ...
and the Balkan Mountains
The Balkan mountain range (, , known locally also as Stara planina) is a mountain range in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe. The range is conventionally taken to begin at the peak of Vrashka Chuka on the border betw ...
at altitudes between It occurs among silicaceous rocks and occupies ledges and fissures in the rock on cliffs, ridges and summits.
Use in cultivation
Mossy saxifrage can be grown in a rockery in temperate climates and can be propagated from seed or by cuttings. It likes gritty, well drained soil. Apparently healthy, established plants sometimes detach themselves from their roots. This tendency is likely to be caused by excessively damp conditions.References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q159833 bryoides Alpine flora Flora of the Alps Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus