Saxifraga micranthidifolia

(Haw.) Rosend.

Mountain lettuce

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Summary

A perennial herb reaching 1 m tall with hermaphrodite flowers blooming May to June. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils across mildly acid to basic pH ranges. Grows in semi-shade or full light, preferring consistently moist conditions.

Description

Edible Uses

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They are highly prized as a salad green in areas where this plant grows wild, and also work well cooked as a pot herb, pairing particularly well with Allium tricoccum.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are eaten in salads and also boiled.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

North America, USA,

Propagation

No specific information is available for this species, but sowing seed in a cold frame in spring is recommended. Surface sow or barely cover the seed, keeping the compost consistently moist. Prick out seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle and grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame through their first winter. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring is also an option — larger divisions can go directly into their permanent positions, while smaller ones are best potted up and grown on in a lightly shaded cold frame until well established, then planted out in summer.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are about 440 Saxifraga species.

Synonyms

Aulaxis micranthidifolia (Haw.) Haw.Micranthes micranthidifolia ((Haw.) Small.Robertsonia micranthidifolia Haw.Saxifraga micranthidifolia (Haw.) Steud.Saxifraga erosa (Pursh.)

References (2)

Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 521
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/