Micranthes odontoloma / brook saxifrage
- streamsides (or in the streams) especially at higher elevations
- white petals with beautiful red center
- yellow/green spots on the petals
- multiple drooping flowers on foot-long, leafless stems
Synonym: Saxifraga odontoloma
As you climb the final approach to Darby Wind Cave, or walk along other high elevation streams, everything about this plant will jump out at you. Sometimes it will be on the rocks, sometimes in the stream. The leaves, for example, are distinctive, shiny, and scalloped.
The flowers are equally striking, but each is short-lived. They are numerous and drooping at the branching ends of foot-tall leafless stems. The flowers themselves are intricate and beautiful, with 5 red sepals beneath 5 rounded white petals, narrow at the base. Each petal has two faint greenish/yellow patches toward the base. The stamens are also petal-like with brownish anthers at the ends, while the ovary is red/purple, highlighting the center of the flower.
Streamside and flowing water environments are difficult places to get established and persist. The brookside saxifrage uses several strategies: it is perennial, growing from a woody stem base (caudex) and spreading by rhizomes.
Be so happy if you find this.
| Color | |
|---|---|
| Family | |
| Blossom size | |
| Inflorescence size | |
| Inflorescence type | |
| When? | |
| Where? |
