Micranthes petiolaris
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hydatica petiolaris
- Saxifraga michauxii
- Phonetic Spelling
- my-KRAN-thes pet-ee-oh-LAIR-iss
- Description
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Cliff Saxifrage is a herbaceous, perennial wildflower in the saxifrage family and native to the Appalachian mountains from West Virginia south to Georgia and is common to the North Carolina mountains and Piedmont. It is found in moist rocky areas and seepage slopes and often at high elevations. The leaves are basal with large toothed margins and a hairy surface. The flowers are open with leaf-like bracts and white petals, some of which have yellow spots.
Cliff Saxifrage grows best sited in full sun or partial shade and moist conditions and is at home in crevices in exposed rock outcrops at high elevations. However, this is a very specific environment that is difficult to replicate in the home landscape. Because it is a challenge to grow, it is not generally available for sale and is not recommended for most home gardens.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Micranthes
- Species:
- petiolaris
- Family:
- Saxifragaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- West Virginia and South Eastern United States
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Capsules are green to yellow, sometimes with a purple tinge.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, 1/2 inch, white flowers with five petals. Three larger petals have two yellow spots, the 2 smaller petals do not. Blossoms from April into October.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Hairy basal rosette of 3 to 7 inches high and strongly toothed. The lance-shaped leaves have large teeth. The underside is a deep maroon with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
