Saxifragaceae family
Saxifrage Family
1 catalogue species · Order Saxifragales
The Saxifragaceae family (Saxifrage Family) is a botanical family placed in the order Saxifragales. It is represented by a single species in the SASYA catalogue. That species is a herb.
Explore the species roster ↓Field identification keys
Compare several features together. These are typical family patterns; individual species can vary. Observe without tasting or handling unfamiliar plants.
- Stem cross-section
- Round
- Leaf arrangement
- Alternate
- Flower symmetry
- Zygomorphic
- Fruit
- Capsule
- Distinctive marker
- Often grows wedged into rock crevices or thin gritty soil; fruit a distinctive two-beaked capsule.
Familiar members: Mysore Bog Star
Species in Saxifragaceae
1 of 1 species
Native status is regional. Range tags distinguish Kew WCVP dataset matches from individual reviews. Pet-filter records report no known toxicity to cats and dogs; some sources cover a genus or cultivar. Review the source context. Missing values are excluded, and no rating establishes suitability to eat or freedom from other hazards.
| Botanical name | Common & regional names | Origin & reviewed pet status |
|---|---|---|
| Parnassia mysorensis | Mysore Bog Star | Native: Assam, India ↗︎ Kew datasetKew WCVP dataset; accepted-name match. Dataset matching is separate from an individual regional review. Recorded worldwide native range: SW. India, Sikkim to SC. China and N. Thailand. |
Often lobed, sometimes fleshy, basal or alternate leaves on low-growing herbs, frequently rooted in rock crevices or thin, gritty soil; regular, five-petalled flowers ripen into a two-beaked capsule.
Many species specialise in colonising bare rock and scree, wedging roots into the thinnest cracks — the family's name literally means 'rock-breaker'.
To check whether a plant belongs to Saxifragaceae, compare the leaf arrangement, leaf type, flower symmetry, fruit type, and one distinctive marker together. A single feature can mislead; the family pattern is the combination.
Learn the full family-identification methodTypical leaf characters
ArrangementAlternate- TypeVariable
- MarginVariable
- VenationVariable
Characters typical of the family — individual species can vary.
Typical flower & fruit
- Flower symmetryZygomorphic (bilaterally symmetrical)
- InflorescenceRaceme
- FruitCapsule
Typical of the family — flowering plants only; species can vary.
Families that can look similar
Orchidaceae
Compare against Orchidaceae when the plant shares similar leaves, flowers, or fruit. Confirm by checking the full family pattern.
Compare OrchidaceaeBalsaminaceae
Compare against Balsaminaceae when the plant shares similar leaves, flowers, or fruit. Confirm by checking the full family pattern.
Compare BalsaminaceaeZingiberaceae
Compare against Zingiberaceae when the plant shares similar leaves, flowers, or fruit. Confirm by checking the full family pattern.
Compare ZingiberaceaeCommelinaceae
Compare against Commelinaceae when the plant shares similar leaves, flowers, or fruit. Confirm by checking the full family pattern.
Compare CommelinaceaeMeet Saxifragaceae in the field
Point your camera, explore possible matches and compare the field marks. Identification runs on your phone, offline and private.
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