• Photo of Micranthes petiolaris (Micranthes petiolariss)

Plant Profile: Micranthes petiolaris

Taxonomy: Micranthes petiolaris

Names

Cliff Saxifrage, Michaux's Saxifrage

  • Photo of Micranthes petiolaris (Micranthes petiolariss)

Phonetic Spelling:my-KRAN-thes pet-ee-oh-LAIR-iss

Genus:Micranthes

Species:petiolaris

Family:Saxifragaceae

Cliff Saxifrage is a perennial herb belonging to the saxifrage family, indigenous to the Appalachian Mountains, stretching from West Virginia down to Georgia. It typically thrives in damp, rocky environments and on seepage slopes, often at higher altitudes. Due to its specific habitat requirements, this plant is generally not suitable for most home gardens and is rarely available for purchase.

Micranthes petiolaris Feature Summary

Micranthes petiolaris Image Gallery

Tags

#NC native

Similar Plants

Micranthes petiolaris Feature Summary

Attributes
West Virginia to South East U.S.A
Perennial
Flowers
Small white flowers with five petals. Three larger petals have two yellow spots, the 2 smaller petals do not.
Leaves
Basal rosette of 3-7" hairy, strongly toothed, lance-shaped leaves with large teeth. The underside is a deep maroon with age.
Green
Red/Burgundy
Alternate
Rosulate
Lanceolate
> 6 inches
Whole Plant Traits
Native Plant
Wildflower

Micranthes petiolaris Attributes

Micranthes petiolaris: Country Or Region Of Origin

West Virginia to South East U.S.A

Micranthes petiolaris: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Micranthes petiolaris Flowers

Micranthes petiolaris: Flower Description

Small white flowers with five petals. Three larger petals have two yellow spots, the 2 smaller petals do not.

Micranthes petiolaris: Flower Color

filter_vintage
White

Micranthes petiolaris: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Micranthes petiolaris: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Micranthes petiolaris Leaves

Micranthes petiolaris: Leaf Description

Basal rosette of 3-7" hairy, strongly toothed, lance-shaped leaves with large teeth. The underside is a deep maroon with age.

Micranthes petiolaris: Leaf Color

spa
Green
spa
Red/Burgundy

Micranthes petiolaris: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Micranthes petiolaris: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Micranthes petiolaris: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Micranthes petiolaris: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Micranthes petiolaris: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Micranthes petiolaris: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Micranthes petiolaris Whole Plant Traits

Micranthes petiolaris: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Micranthes petiolaris Stem

Micranthes petiolaris: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes