Saxifragopsis fragarioides
Strawberry saxifrage
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Saxifragopsis fragarioides (Strawberry saxifrage) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus endemic to the Klamath-Siskiyou region, representing a unique evolutionary lineage in the saxifrage family.
Strawberry saxifrage is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in rock crevices at elevations of 1,500 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces delicate white to pink flowers in open panicles with more than 40 crowded blooms near the stem tips. Growing with glandular stems 10 to 25 centimeters tall, it develops a thick, woody, branched rhizome with scaly features. Its basal leaves are obovate, 1.5 to 4 centimeters long, with coarse teeth and distinctive petioles that expand at the base and are uniquely jointed, causing leaves to fall from the stem. The fruit develops as a capsule containing brown seeds with longitudinal ridges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus endemic to the Klamath-Siskiyou region, representing a unique evolutionary lineage in the saxifrage family
Habitat and range
Habitat: rock crevices
Elevation: 1500-3000 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, Shasta
Outside California: southwestern Oregon, central Washington
Bloom period
Saxifragopsis fragarioides blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Lithophragma: Saxifragopsis leaf blades fall off leaving petioles; Lithophragma leaves stay intact on plant.; vs Tiarella: Saxifragopsis has deciduous leaf blades and fused styles; Tiarella has persistent leaves and separate styles.; vs Tellima: Saxifragopsis leaf blades drop before petioles; Tellima leaves remain whole throughout season.; vs Saxifraga: Saxifragopsis leaf blades are jointed and deciduous; Saxifraga leaves remain attached throughout.; vs Cascadia: Saxifragopsis has basal leaves with deciduous blades; Cascadia has trailing stems with evenly-spaced leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Saxifragopsis fragarioides native to California?
Yes. Saxifragopsis fragarioides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Saxifragopsis fragarioides bloom?
Saxifragopsis fragarioides blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Saxifragopsis fragarioides grow?
Saxifragopsis fragarioides occurs in Siskiyou, Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, Shasta, at elevations of 1500-3000 m.
What plant family does Saxifragopsis fragarioides belong to?
Saxifragopsis fragarioides is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Saxifragopsis.
What habitat does Saxifragopsis fragarioides grow in?
Saxifragopsis fragarioides grows in rock crevices.
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.