Early Saxifrage - Saxifraga virginiensis " (Saxifrage family - Saxifragaceae) "
Early Saxifrage - Saxifraga virginiensis " (Saxifrage family - Saxifragaceae) " There are 17 recognized species of Saxifraga. This is the most widespread and the earliest to bloom. Its leaves are often purplish underneath. Because saxifrages are rooted in cracks in rocks and ledges, early botanists combined two Latin words to name them saxum, "stone," and fragere, "to break."
The flower stalks are sometimes covered with sticky, glandular hairs that entrap crawling insects and prevent them from taking nectar. Note the rosette of broadly toothed oval leaves (1 -3 in.) nearly as wide as long. The 5-petaled white flowers have 10 bright yellow stamens. 4 - 10 in. Dry or wet rocks, rocky slopes and ledges.
