Prickly Saxifrage (Saxifraga tricuspidata)
Also known as: three-toothed saxifrage
Bloom time: May – June
Additional photos:
General: Prickly saxifrage is a loosely matted perennial (5-15 cm tall), that grows in large bunches, close to the ground.
Leaves & Twigs:
Flowers & Fruits:
- Between three and 10 creamy white flowers appear at the end of the saxifrage stems.
- Each flower (4-7 mm long) has five sepals and five petals.
Habitat: This plant can often be found in dry, exposed, rocky areas, including rock crevices.
PlantWatch Pointers: Select a typical patch of plants, if the plants are very abundant, mark off a l-metre-square section to observe.
To Observe:
- First bloom: when the first flowers are open in the observed plants (3 places).
- Mid bloom: when 50% of the flowers are open in the observed plants.
Distribution Map:
This species is monitored in:
- Manitoba
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Prickly saxifrage’s Latin genus name, Saxifraga, means “stone-breaker” – an excellent description of how its roots can break down stone into smaller components useable by other plants.