Saxifraga tricuspidata Rottb.
three-toothed saxifrage (three toothed saxifrage)
Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Jamie Fenneman     (Photo ID #7357)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Saxifraga tricuspidata
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Caespitose, perennial herb from branched stem-bases, forming densely matted flat cushions; stems numerous, the flowering stems 3-25 cm tall, minutely glandular-hairy to smooth, with a few leaves.
Leaves:
Basal leaves crowded, partly overlapping, persistent for several years, oblong or spoon-shaped, 0.5-2 cm long, 1-7 mm wide, leathery, fringed, the tips 3-toothed, the teeth spine-tipped; stem leaves alternate, similar, becoming entire above.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of few- to several-flowered, terminal, somewhat flat-topped clusters; petals white or pale yellow, usually orange-spotted in upper part, elliptic-oblong, 4-7 mm long; calyces saucer-shaped, joined to ovary for part of length, the calyx lobes egg-shaped to lanceolate, 1.5-3 mm long, glandular-fringed; stamens 10.
Fruits:
Capsules, 4-8 mm long.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Saxifraga tricuspidata

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
1609 7 2440
Slope Gradient (%)
30 0 235

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

202 0 360
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
2 0 8
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
B
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
364
Modal BEC Zone Class
BAFA

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

AT(4), BAFA(183), BWBS(21), cma(4), ESSF(74), ICH(4), IDF(1), MH(1), SBPS(1), SBS(13), SWB(45)

Habitat and Range

Dry meadows, gravelly slopes, talus slopes, cliffs and ridges from the montane to alpine zones; common in BC in and E of the Coast-Cascade Mountains and N of 52degreeN; N to AK, YT and NT, E to Labr. and PQ and S to MI; Greenland.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Leptasea tricuspidata (Rottb.) Haw.