Mossy saxifrage (Saxifraga hypnoides, Sp. Pl.: 405 (1753))

Family: Saxifragaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 405 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Saxifraga

Vegetable: False

Observations: NW. Europe to NE. France

Description

Mossy saxifrage, known to botanists as Saxifraga hypnoides, is a charming perennial plant belonging to the family Saxifragaceae. Originally described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this plant has captured the interest of horticulturists and naturalists alike.

Found predominantly across Northwestern Europe extending to Northeastern France, Mossy saxifrage thrives in its native habitats, often gracing rocky outcrops, alpine meadows, and well-drained yet moist environments with its presence. Its resilience and adaptability to various altitudes and soil types make it a fascinating subject for ecological study.

Visually appealing, Mossy saxifrage forms dense, moss-like mats, which can be attributed to its intricate, finely divided leaves. The foliage itself is a vibrant green, offering a lush carpet that contrasts beautifully with the white to pale pink star-shaped flowers that emerge in late spring and early summer. These delicate blossoms, typically borne on slender stems, add an ephemeral elegance to the plant’s overall appearance.

In horticultural practices, Saxifraga hypnoides is valued for its ornamental properties and low-maintenance nature. Gardeners often utilize it in rock gardens, alpine collections, or as ground cover in shaded areas where other plants might struggle. Its ability to create a cohesive green layer makes it an excellent choice for stabilizing soil and preventing erosion on slopes and rocky terrains.

Beyond its aesthetic and ecological contributions, Mossy saxifrage is an exemplary subject for studying plant adaptation and survival strategies in challenging climatic conditions. As it continues to be observed and cherished in botanical gardens and natural landscapes, Saxifraga hypnoides remains a testament to the enduring allure and significance of alpine flora.

Common Names

Deu: astmoos-steinbrech
Dan: mos-stenbræk
Ces: lomikámen rokytový
Nld: mossteenbreek
Eng: mossy saxifrage
Swe: mossbräcka
Cym: mwsog y moelydd, tormaen llydandroed, tormaen mwsoglaidd
En: Mossy Saxifrage
Cs: Lomikámen rokytový
Da: Mos-Stenbræk
Nl: Mossteenbreek
Fi: Sammalrikko
Fr: Gazon turc, Saxifrage mousse, Saxirage hypnum
De: Moos-Steinbrech, Astmoos-Steinbrech
It: Sassifraga simile a hypnum
No: Mosesildre
Sv: Mossbräcka
Cy: Tormaen llydandroed, Mwsog y Moelydd, Tormaen Mwsoglaidd

Synonyms

• Saxifraga lapeyrousei (Sternb.)
• Saxifraga tridens (Haw.)
• Saxifraga leptophylla (Pers.)
• Saxifraga controversa (Haw.)
• Saxifraga cespitosa var. villosa ((Willd.) Čelak.)
• Hexaphoma viscida (Raf.)
• Saxifraga hypnoides subsp. borealiatlantica (Engl. & Irmsch.)
• Saxifraga villosa (Willd.)
• Saxifraga latifolia (Ser.)
• Muscaria basaitica (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Saxifraga planipetala (D.Dietr.)
• Saxifraga crateriformis (Ser.)
• Muscaria vulcanorum (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Saxifraga densifolia (Schleich. ex Ser.)
• Saxifraga hypnoides var. robusta (E.S.Marshall)
• Muscaria parvula (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Saxifraga laetevirens (D.Don)
• Saxifraga viscosa (Haw.)
• Saxifraga recurvata (Bree ex Schleich.)
• Saxifraga spathulata (Haw.)
• Saxifraga hypnoides var. borealis (Mert. & W.D.J.Koch)
• Saxifraga angustifida (Engl.)
• Hirculus gracilis ((Sternb. ex Ser.) Losinsk.)
• Saxifraga tridentata (D.Don)
• Saxifraga latifida (Haw.)
• Saxifraga hypnoides whitlavei (Farrer)
• Muscaria indivisa (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Saxifraga scariosa (Schleich. ex Engl.)
• Saxifraga curvata (Schleich. ex Ser.)
• Saxifraga linearis (Engl.)
• Chondrosea intermedia (Haw.)
• Saxifraga procumbens (Juss. ex Steud.)
• Saxifraga moschata (D.Don)
• Saxifraga spatulata (Haw.)
• Saxifraga quinquedens (Haw.)
• Muscaria helviensis (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Saxifraga cantabrica (Boiss. & Reut. ex Engl.)
• Saxifraga septifida (Haw. ex Steud.)
• Saxifraga platypetala (Sm.)
• Saxifraga hypnoides densa (Farrer)
• Saxifraga gmelinii (Host)
• Muscaria vivariensis (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Muscaria rhodanica (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Evaiezoa hirta (Raf.)
• Saxifraga retroflexa (Ser.)
• Saxifraga flavescens (Sternb.)
• Saxifraga hypnoides var. parviflora (DC.)
• Saxifraga aggregata (Lej.)
• Saxifraga schraderi (Sternb.)
• Saxifraga affinis (D.Don)
• Saxifraga cespitosa subsp. hypnoides ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Saxifraga hypnoides var. australia (Mert. & W.D.J.Koch)
• Saxifraga hypnoides kingii (Farrer)
• Saxifraga gemmifera (Pers.)
• Saxifraga dubia (Schleich. ex Ser.)
• Muscaria hypnoides ((L.) Jord. & Fourr.)
• Saxifraga laxa (Schleich. ex Engl.)
• Muscaria laeta (Jord. & Fourr.)

Distribution

• Belgium (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Norway (native)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Tibet (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 5, 2019 by sci nsk (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Michel PANSIOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2022 by orish beliy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2020 by Andrzej Włodarczyk (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

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

Leaf

Taken Jun 14, 2020 by Noé Positivo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2020 by Noé Positivo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 9, 2021 by Henry Nicholson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 9, 2021 by Henry Nicholson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 22, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 21, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Michel PANSIOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Michel PANSIOT (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:793841-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8028512)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Saxifraga hypnoides L.)

Specifications

Growth

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]