THE SAXIFRAGE FAMILY 
[ORDER XXVII. SAXIFRAGES] 
HE Saxifrage Family is spread widely over the world, and flourishes in temperate and cool 
climates. In tropical lands it is only found on mountain heights. The species of Saxifrage 
native to Great Britain are distinctive by their neat habit ; the leaves grow chiefly from the root in 
rosettes or tufts, and the little clusters of pure regular flowers are lifted up on slender stalks. 
They are chiefly found on mountains. 
The family includes many beautiful flowering trees and shrubs — Deutzias, Syringas 
(Philadelphuses), American Currants, and Hydrangeas. Innumerable species of Saxifrage are 
to be met with in rock and Alpine gardens ; and several species with edible fruits, the Currants 
and Gooseberries, are cultivated in our gardens. 
SAXIFRAGE. (SAXIFRAGA, LINN.) — Flowers white, yellow, rose-colour, or purple, in clusters, 
the central flower opening first (cymes). Sepals 5, united at the base into a tube which usually 
adheres more or less to the seedcase, and separating into 5 teeth, remaining with the fruit 
(persistent); petals 5, entire; stamens 10, rarely 5; carpels 2, united into a 2-celled seedcase 
(ovary), and separating into 2 distinct styles, which remain with the fruit (persistent). Fruit a 
2-beaked, 2-celled, many-seeded capsule, opening at the top by 2 valves. Herbs or undershrubs 
with alternate or rarely opposite leaves. 
Purple Mountain Saxifrage. (Saxifraga oppositifolia, Linn.) — As just described. 
The flowers inch across, purple, nearly stalkless, solitary and terminal ; the capsule J inch long ; 
the stems prostrate, much branched, forming low, straggling tufts ; and the small, oblong, fleshy 
leaves being crowded together and fringed with white hairs. 
Rare. Mountains in Wales, the north of England, and Ireland ; common on the higher Scotch 
mountains. April — May. Perennial. 
Clustered Alpine Saxifrage. (Saxifraga nivalis, Linn.)— Flowers ^ inch across, 
white, in a compact cluster, on stems 2-6 inches high springing from the root (scapes). Sepals 5, 
united half way, often tinged with purple ; petals 5, spreading, white with 2 greenish dots towards 
the base ; anthers and pistils purple. Fruit an oval capsule, terminating in 2 short beaks ; leaves 
thick, all from the root (radical), roundish or oval, toothed, broader at the tip and narrowing into a 
short, broad stalk (spathulate). 
Rare. Damp Alpine rocks on high mountains in north Wales, the Lake District, Scotland, 
and on Ben Bulben in Ireland. July — August. Perennial. 
Starry Saxifrage. (Saxifraga stellaris, Linn.) — Flowers § inch across, white, 1-3 in 
loose clusters (cymes), on stems 2-9 inches high springing from the root (scapes), with a small 
