Telesonix heucheriformis / false saxifrage

Adjectives: alpine, clonal, drought tolerant, exposed, native, showy, striking, subalpine

Also known as: alumroot brookfoam
Synonyms: Telesonix  jamesii, Boykinia heucheriformis, Saxifraga jamesii

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Although telesonix sounds more like the name of an audio electronics company (and it is), it is also one of the most striking plants I have found so far in all my searches in the Valley. In this particular case, false saxifrage is found only in moist rock crevices and on talus slopes in the montane to alpine zones. Mostly, you’ll see it on cliffs, ledges or rock outcrops, or clinging to boulders or persisting on scree slopes. It doesn’t seem to mind which direction it’s facing, or even if the slope is flat or vertical. It is not common, and in Colorado, it’s considered rare.

As for the plant… false saxifrage is a perennial herb growing from a short, thick rootstock (caudex) covered in old leaf bases. It may have several stems growing from a single caudex and ranges in height from about 2 to 8 inches tall. The whole plant is usually covered with glandular, short hairs, especially on its upper parts. This characteristic is not shared by other saxifrages. The upper stems are often light- to deep reddish-purple.

The leaves of this species, like those of “true” saxifrages, are mainly basal. They are doubly round-toothed or have shallow lobes and are only about 1 to 2″ wide. The bases are “cordate” (heart shaped). Leaves up the stems are similar but smaller and with short petioles.

False saxifrage flowers have five reddish-purple-ish petals and grow in groups of as many as 25 in elongated clusters. Because of their growth habit, these clusters are often one-sided. Technically, they are panicles. The individual flowers are only about  ½ inch across.

As far as I can tell, there are essentially no scientific studies of this species, and very little by way of folklore. Too bad… it’s such a cool plant. Look for it on the cliffs at Summit Trail at Targhee. It’s probably elsewhere, but I haven’t found it.