174 



SAXIFRAGACEAE. 



[Vol.. II. 



ii. Saxifraga Virginiensis Michx. 



Saxifraga Virginiensis Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. i: 

 269. 1803. 



Scape viscid-pubescent, 4 / -i2 / high, naked, or 

 with a few bracts at the base of the pedicels. 

 L,eaves obovate, or oval with a spatulate base, 

 narrowed into a margined petiole, dentate or 

 crenate, obtuse or acutish at the apex, i'-3' 

 long or longer; inflorescence cymose, at length 

 loose and paniculate with the lower peduncles 

 elongated; flowers white, regular, 2"-3 // broad; 

 calyx-lobes erect, triangular or triangular-ovate, 

 much shorter than the oblong-spatulate, obtuse 

 petals; ovary nearly free from the calyx; carpels 

 nearly separate, the follicles at length widely 

 divergent, often purplish. 



In dry or rocky woodlands, New Brunswick to 

 Minnesota, south to Georgia and Tennessee. As- 

 cends to 3500 ft. in Virginia. March-May. Forms 

 with 15 stamens occur on New York Island, and 

 with green petals in Essex Co., Mass. 



10. Saxifraga micranthidifolia 

 (Haw.) B.S.P. Lettuce Saxi- 

 frage. (Fig. 1832.) 



Robertsonia micranthidifolia Haw. Syn. PI. 



Succ. 322. 1812. 



Saxifraga erosa Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept. 311. 1814. 

 Saxifraga micranthidifolia B.S.P. Prel. Cat. 



N. Y. 17. 1888. 



Scape rather slender, more or less viscid, 

 i-3 high, bracted above. Leaves oblance- 

 olate or oval, sometimes i long, obtuse at 

 the apex, tapering downward into a long 

 margined petiole, coarsely and sharply den- 

 tate; panicle loose, elongated; flowers white, 

 regular, 2"-3 // broad; calyx-lobes reflexed, 

 slightly shorter than the oval or oblong ob- 

 tuse petals; calyx-tube free from the ovary; 

 filaments club-shaped; follicles lanceolate, 

 sharp-pointed, 2"-3" long, their tips at 

 length divergent. 



In cold brooks, Bethlehem, Pa., south along 

 the mountains to North Carolina. Ascends to 

 5500 ft. in North Carolina. May-June. 



Karly Saxifrage. (Fig. 1833.) 



12. Saxifraga nivalis L. Clustered Alpine 

 Saxifrage. (Fig. 1834.) 



Saxifraga nivalis L. Sp. PI. 401. 1753. 



Resembling the preceding species but commonly lower, 

 seldom over (/ high. Scape viscid, naked, or bracted at 

 the base of the capitate sometimes branched inflorescence; 

 leaves ovate or oval, narrowed into a margined petiole, 

 thicker; flowers white, 3 // -5 // broad, in a compact cluster; 

 calyx-lobes ovate or oblong, spreading, obtuse, about one- 

 half the length of the oblong or oblong-ovate petals; ovary 

 half-inferior; follicles deep purple, divergent. 



Labrador and arctic America, south in the Rocky Moun- 

 tains to Arizona. Also in northern and alpine Europe and 

 Siberia. Summer. Said to flower heneath the snow. 



