Strawberry saxifrage, Creeping Saxifrage
Saxifraga stolonifera

Family: Saxifragaceae

What it is like

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 40 cm high and spreads 30 cm wide. It has long thin stolons or runners. The leaves are round or kidney shaped. They are reddish underneath and the veins are silvery above. It has panicles of white flowers. These are spotted with red or yellow. The flower stalks are 40 cm long.

There are about 440 Saxifraga species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate to subtropical plant. In China it grows between 400-4,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. In XTBG Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, China (country/location of origin), Europe, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Japan (country/location of origin), Korea, Northeastern India, Pacific, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves are fried or parboiled and used in salads. They are eaten in tempura in Japan. They are pounded and used in chutney. The flower scapes are salted and eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, stem, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown by division or from the long thin rhizomes.

Its other names

Local names

Huercao, Mother of thousands, Strawberry begonia, Strawberry geranium, Tiger's ear plant, Yuki-no-shita

Synonyms

Saxifraga sarmentosa (L.f.);