Creeping saxifrage (Saxifraga stolonifera, Philos. Trans. 64(1): 308 (1774))

Family: Saxifragaceae

Author: Curtis

Bibliography: Philos. Trans. 64(1): 308 (1774)

Year: 1774

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Saxifraga

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & S. China, S. Korea, C. & S. Japan, Taiwan

Description

Creeping saxifrage, scientifically known as Saxifraga stolonifera, is a captivating and resilient member of the Saxifragaceae family. This species was extensively documented by Curtis in his work published in the “Philosophical Transactions” in 1774. The plant is indigenous to a wide range of East Asian regions, including Central and Southern China, South Korea, Central and Southern Japan, and Taiwan.

One of the distinct characteristics of the Creeping saxifrage is its stoloniferous growth habit, allowing it to spread efficiently across the ground. This perennial plant is often sought after for its ornamental value, featuring charming rosettes of rounded, scalloped leaves, which are typically adorned with silvery veins that contrast beautifully against the deep green foliage.

During its blooming period, Saxifraga stolonifera produces delicate, star-shaped flowers that are usually white with distinctive yellow and pink highlights. These blossoms appear on slender, reddish stems that rise gracefully above the foliage, adding a splash of color and elegance to gardens and shaded landscapes.

Adaptable to various growing conditions, Creeping saxifrage thrives best in moist, well-drained soils with partial to full shade, making it an ideal candidate for shaded garden areas, rock gardens, and ground cover in temperate regions. Its ability to thrive in shaded environments, coupled with its attractive foliage and flowers, makes it a popular choice among gardeners and horticulturists.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Creeping saxifrage has also been valued in traditional medicines across its native regions, where it is often utilized for its purported healing properties. However, the primary allure for many remains its robust nature and the visual charm it brings to garden spaces.

Common Names

Deu: ausläufer-steinbrech, hängender steinbrech, judenbart
Spa: consuelda de estolones
Eng: creeping saxifrage, strawberry saxifrage, mother-of-thousands, strawberry-geranium
Hun: indás kőtörőfű
Cym: tormaen ymgripiol
En: Creeping saxifrage, Mother-of-thousands, Strawberry saxifrage, Strawberry-geranium, Trailing saxifrage, Hu er cao
Bg: Бедреница
Zh: Hu er cao, 虎耳草
Cs: Lomikámen výběžkatý
Fi: Aaroninparta
Fr: Saxifrage stolonifère
De: Judenbart, Kriech-Steinbrech, Ausläufer-Steinbrech, Hängender Steinbrech, Frauenhaar
Hu: Indás kőtörőfű
It: Sassifraga stolonifera
Ko: 바위취
No: Ynglesildre
Fa: سفرس خزنده
Pl: Skalnica rozłogowa
Sk: Lomikameň poplazivý
Es: Consuelda de estolones
Sv: Arons skägg
Zh-tw: 虎耳草
Cy: Tormaen ymgripiol

Synonyms

• Saxifraga stolonifera var. immaculata ((Diels) Hand.-Mazz.)
• Ligularia sarmentosa ((L.) Duval)
• Rupifraga cuscutiformis ((Lodd.) Raf.)
• Saxifraga iochanensis (H.Lév.)
• Saxifraga chaffanjonii (H.Lév.)
• Saxifraga dumetorum (Balf.f.)
• Aphomonix hederacea (Raf.)
• Saxifraga sarmentosa (L.)
• Saxifraga cuscutiformis (G.Lodd.)
• Sekika cyclaminea (Medik.)
• Diptera cuscutiformis ((Lodd.) Heynh.)
• Saxifraga sarmentosa var. immaculata (Diels)
• Saxifraga veitchiana (Balf.f.)
• Saxifraga chinensis (Lour.)
• Sekika sarmentosa ((L.) Moench)
• Saxifraga sarmentosa var. tricolor-superba (Van Geert)
• Sekika stolonifera ((Curtis) H.Hara)
• Robertsonia sarmentosa ((L.) Link)
• Adenogyna sarmentosa ((L.) Raf.)
• Saxifraga stolonifera f. leuconeura ((Makino) H.Hara)
• Saxifraga stolonifera f. viridifolia ((Makino) H.Hara)
• Saxifraga stolonifera f. aptera ((Makino) H.Hara)
• Diptera sarmentosa ((L.) Borkh.)
• Rupifraga sarmentosa ((L.) Raf.)

Distribution

• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jan 26, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 9, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2021 by Wataru Fukushima (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2019 by Rodríguez Sebastián David (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2018 by Ruth Reed (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 30, 2019 by mariarachele maiavacca (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2019 by Illescas Alberto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2019 by farzaneh fezeh (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2022 by Graham Mallinson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Kenpei (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 29, 2020 by pratap thakur (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − alpsdake (public)

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2020 by Crispi Escursell (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2019 by Lin (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 7, 2022 by Ya Eric (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2018 by Eva Sebrechts (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − _ _ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 5, 2020 by Ahrendt Max (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by arno leonis (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3032762)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:794584-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Saxifraga stolonifera Curtis)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth