Mountain Lettuce, Lettuceleaf saxifrage
Saxifraga micranthidifolia

Family: Saxifragaceae

What it is like

Saxifraga micranthidifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

By brooks, wet rocks and wet banks in mountains.

Eastern N. America - Pennsylvania and W. Virginia to Georgia and Tennessee.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Leaves - raw or cooked. A highly-prized salad in the areas where it grows wild. It can also be cooked as a greens, going well with Allium tricoccum.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

We have almost no information for this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it is likely to succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers an open soil surrounded by stones. Grows well in a rock garden.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame in the spring. Surface sow, or only just cover the seed, and make sure that the compost does not dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. erosa. Pursh. Micranthes micranthidifolia.