Tufted Saxifrage Tufted
Saxifrage is a small perennial that grow in thick
mats on the tundra. It has several straight flower
stems which can get 3-15 cm high. The leaves are
rigid and very hairy and only 5-10 mm long. Their
tips divide into 3 lobes. Two to ten
flowers bloom from the top of each stem. Each
flower has five white petals, that look like a bell
when just opening and turn into a star when fully
opened. This flower also has a small fruit which
usually holds many small seeds. There are
many varieties of saxifrage The Tufted saxifrage grows on the rocky slopes and crevices of the tundra. It can be found from Alaska to the Cascade and Olympic Mountains and northwestern Oregon. Saxifraga comes from the Latin word "rock breaker". 2000.
bibliography: David M. Moore. (1991). Plant Life. New York, New York: Oxford University Press. "Tundra Plants", http://search.yahooligans.com/search/ligans?p=tundra+plants, (June 2000). "Saxifrage", http://www.encarta.com, (June 2000). "Tundra Plants", New Standard Encyclopedia. (1995) Standard Educational Corporation, Chicago. Photo credit: Paul Slichter, http://district.gresham.k12.or.us/
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