SaxFF

Plant Sex: Flowers usually bisexual

Flowers: Actinomorphic

Flowers: perigynous (with hypanthium). Carpels free above, connate below.  Ovary superior, inferior, or half inferior.

Inflorescence: Racemes or cymes

Fruits: Capsules and follicles

Habit: Perennial herbs. Saxifraga means "rock breaker"

Leaves: Alternate or basal, without stipules

Examples:
Heuchera sanguinea (coral bells, a commonly cultivated species)
Heuchera - some native species
Saxifraga (saxifrage)
Tiarella (foamflower)
Mitella (mitterwort)
Astilbe


Note: the woody Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea and Philadelphus) and Grossulariaceae (Ribes) were traditionally  included within Saxifragaceae. Molecular evidence is in agreement with the concept of several families.  The genus Parnassia is now in its own family Parnassiaceae.


SIUC / College of Science / Elements of Plant Systematics
URL: http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/PLB304/Lecture15Saxif/Saxifragaceae.html
Last updated: 17-Mar-08 / dln