Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Specific Families and Genera => Saxifraga => Topic started by: Rodger on August 02, 2016, 08:48:01 PM

Title: Identity of saxifrage found near Gandegg Hutte, Zermatt
Post by: Rodger on August 02, 2016, 08:48:01 PM

I found single flower of what I believe to be a saxifrage (LHS of photo appended) adjacent to Saxifraga oppositifolia at approx. height of 3020m near to the Gandegg Hutte below Kleine Matterhorn on 19th July 2016 and was wondering what it could be? Is it possibly a hybrid between S oppositifolia and S biflora?

Title: Re: Identity of saxifrage found near Gandegg Hutte, Zermatt
Post by: Hoy on August 04, 2016, 09:50:42 AM

I can't say for sure whether it is a nybrid, but S. oppositifolia is very variable in flower shape, at least here in Norway.

Some examples:

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]

Title: Re: Identity of saxifrage found near Gandegg Hutte, Zermatt
Post by: Rodger on August 04, 2016, 02:23:21 PM

Thanks Troy. I agree there is tremendous variation in S oppositifolia. I was puzzled by the great difference in flower size between the single flower on the left hand side and the others in the picture, those being typical of the other S oppositifolia in the vicinity.