North Carolina Wildflowers

by Jeffrey S. Pippen | Back to Jeff's Plant Page | Jeff's Nature Pages

Saxifragaceae > Saxifraga (Saxifrage)

Michaux's Saxifrage (Saxifraga michauxii) Michaux's Saxifrage (Saxifraga michauxii)
Avery Co., NC
26 July 2006

Endemic to the southern Appalachians, Michaux's Saxifrage is common in rocky areas in the NC mountains and uncommon in the piedmont.

Michaux's Saxifrage (Saxifraga michauxii) Michaux's Saxifrage (Saxifraga michauxii)
Avery Co., NC
26 July 2006

Note the distinctive yellow spots on each of the upper 3 petals.

Michaux's Saxifrage (Saxifraga michauxii) Michaux's Saxifrage (Saxifraga michauxii)
Thin soils over granite outcrop, Alexander Co., NC
3 July 2009

Michaux's Saxifrage (Saxifraga michauxii) Michaux's Saxifrage (Saxifraga michauxii)
Thin soils over granite outcrop, Alexander Co., NC
3 July 2009

Leaves are fuzzy and generally have relatively few, coursely spaced teeth.

Michaux's Saxifrage (Saxifraga michauxii) Michaux's Saxifrage (Saxifraga michauxii)
Thin soils over granite outcrop, Alexander Co., NC
3 July 2009

This species is variable in appearance, based partially on the specific habitat in which the individual is growing.

Lettuceleaf Saxifrage (Saxifraga micranthidifolia) Lettuceleaf Saxifrage (Saxifraga micranthidifolia)
Graham Co., NC
28 Apr 2006
Early Saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis) Early Saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis)
Durham Co., NC
7 Apr 2007

Statewide and fairly common in North Carolina, Early Saxifrage grows in various forested moist slopes, streambanks, and other similar habitats.

Early Saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis) Early Saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis)
Durham Co., NC
7 Apr 2007

Early Saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis) Early Saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis)
Durham Co., NC
7 Apr 2007

Early Saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis) Early Saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis)
Durham Co., NC
7 Apr 2007

Annotated habitat and distribution information listed above is from Radford, Ahles, & Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. UNC Press; and from personal observations and discussions with Will Cook, Harry LeGrand, and Bob Wilbur. Common names from personal experience and supplemented by the following resources USDA plants website, Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia, and NatureServe.

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Created on ... May 7, 2006 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com