Saxifraga mertensiana
Wood saxifrage
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Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Saxifraga mertensiana (Wood saxifrage) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by leaf size, shape, and division pattern.
Wood saxifrage is a California native perennial found in the North Coast, Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and northern Sierra Nevada in mossy rock and cliff habitats at elevations below 2,500 meters. Flowering from February to July, this plant produces white petals 4 to 5 millimeters long in open panicle inflorescences. Growing with a distinctive caudex that produces small bulblets, it forms stems with large, round leaves divided into many small triangular lobes. Its leaves are 4 to 20 centimeters long with petioles 2 to 15 centimeters, featuring heart-shaped bases and multiple lobes with irregular teeth. The fruit develops in a distinctive purple color, adding visual interest to this delicate mountain plant.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by leaf size, shape, and division pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Mossy rocks, cliffs
Elevation: < 2500 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino, Merced, Sonoma, Siskiyou, Trinity, Del Norte, Placer, Tulare, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Plumas
Outside California: to Alaska, Montana
Bloom period
Saxifraga mertensiana blooms Feb-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Micranthes: Saxifraga has at least some lobed leaves; Micranthes has only smooth-edged, unlobed leaves.; vs Boykinia: Saxifraga has small flowers and papillate seeds; Boykinia has larger saucer-shaped flowers and smooth seeds.; vs Romanzoffia: Saxifraga has basal leaf rosettes; Romanzoffia has trailing stems with kidney-shaped leaves.; vs Lithophragma: Saxifraga has 2 styles and papillate seeds; Lithophragma has 3 styles and smooth seeds.; vs Tiarella: Saxifraga grows in alpine rocks with lobed leaves; Tiarella grows in lowland shade with unlobed leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Saxifraga mertensiana native to California?
Yes. Saxifraga mertensiana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Saxifraga mertensiana bloom?
Saxifraga mertensiana blooms Feb-Jul.
Where in California does Saxifraga mertensiana grow?
Saxifraga mertensiana occurs in Humboldt, Mendocino, Merced, Sonoma, Siskiyou, Trinity, Del Norte, Placer and other counties, at elevations of < 2500 m.
What plant family does Saxifraga mertensiana belong to?
Saxifraga mertensiana is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Saxifraga.
What habitat does Saxifraga mertensiana grow in?
Saxifraga mertensiana grows in Mossy rocks, cliffs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.