Re: saxifrage
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] saxifrage
- From: P* H*
- Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 12:24:13 EST
In a message dated 12/01/2000 9:18:07 AM Central Standard Time,
msgardens@HOTMAIL.COM writes:
<< Had no idea there were so many saxifrages! "Velvet" and "White Splash" are
my favorites from the Terra Nova website photos. I'm still a little
confused by the meanings of sarmentosa, and now fortunei. Just named after
the discoverer? Or does the name indicate growth habit? Lynn
__ >>
There are over 300 species in the genus Saxifraga with around 100 to 120 in
North America. 15 or so species grow in north eastern and north central USA.
The genus name means roughly "to break rock" and relates to many of the
plants in this genus because they grow in rock crevasses in mountains.
The genus Saxifrage is in the family SAXIFRAGACEAE which also includes the
ASTILBE, Tiarella, Mitella, Heuchera, Hydrangea and Ribes. Plus over 80 other
genera.
They are closely related to the rose family.
Saxifraga sarmemtosa is a syn of S. stolenifera which is native to Eastern
Asia.
Both names are in refrence to the many runners or stolens produced by the
species.
Paul
