Micranthes virginiensis
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Saxifraga virginiensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- my-KRAN-thes vir-jin-ee-EN-sis
- Description
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Early Saxifrage is a native wildflower that is found in dry woods and rocky fields. In North Carolina, it is a common sight in the Piedmont and Mountains, however rarely found on the Coastal Plains. It can be found growing as a solitary plant, or in clumps on rocky hillsides, cliffs, stream banks, and wooded slopes.
Its leaves grow only at the base of the plant (basal leaves). Atop the 12" tall hairy, sticky stems is a branched cluster of 2" fragrant white flowers. Unlike some plants, each petal of the showy flower is separate, not fused together.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious plant problems.
- 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:
- virginiensis
- Family:
- Saxifragaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & East Canada to North Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WY
- Edibility:
- The young early spring leaves can be eaten in salads.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herb
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The green to purple fruit contains many tiny seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 5-petaled white flowers with 10 bright yellow stamens. Sticky flower stalk.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The veined leaves are a rosette of 1 to 3" broadly toothed oval leaves that are hairy around the edges. Often maroon underside.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- Sticky, densely hairy stems are 4" tall at first flowering, elongating up to 12".
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
