Whiplash Saxifrage Saxifraga flagellaris Saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae)
A number of characteristics make this lovely and dainty plant relatively easy to identify: long red stream out from the of leaves to root and give rise to new plants; are very attractively symmetrical and reminiscent of many succulent plants; stems and leaves are very noticeably . You will find this lovely plant high on mountain in the company of dozens of other species that make the so special. See the very similar Golden Saxifrage (Saxifraga chrysantha).
Carl Willdenow named this plant in 1810 from a specimen collected by J. Adams on Mount Kazbek in the Caucasus Mountains.
plants with stems from 2 to 6" tall, at least above. Plants have long from near the base, these leafy and rooting at the tip. Leaves in a crowded , with -, , - and -tipped. Stem leaves similar and numerous clear to the top. of 1 to few flowers. . Petals about 1/4" long, yellow, . a 1/4" long.
An entire leaf has smooth edges. Not toothed or lobed.
rosette -- usually a dense cluster of leaves at the base of a plant.
Glands are plant structures that secrete liquids, salts or other substances.
Glands often appear as hairs with a drop of liquid at the end.
spine -- a stiff, sharp structure formed by the modification of a plant organ that contains vascular tissue. A spine can be formed by a latteral branch, a modified leaf or a thorn.
A herb is a plant whose stems die back to the ground in the winter.
A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem.
tundra -- Land above tree line characterized by a short growing season, intense sun
and wind, thin soils, very high snow fall and high rain fall. Contains low
growing sedges, grasses, dwarf shrubs and herbs.
basal -- at the base, situated or attached at the base.
stolon -- A slender modified stem running along the ground, rooting at the tip,
and sprouting new plants. Strawberries have stolons. Also called runners.
capsule -- a type of simple, dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. In
most cases the capsule splits apart to release seeds.
fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants.
It is formed from the ovary after flowering.
spatulate -- spoon-shaped.
obovate -- Teardrop-shaped, stem attaches to tapering point.
oblong -- Having an elongated form with somewhat parallel sides. Rectangular.
blade -- Just the flat part of a leaf. Not the stem.
Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud,
and often as support for the petals when in bloom.
alpine -- above the tree line. Thin soil, rocks, short growing season, frost, winter snow.
