Scientific Family
Saxifragaceae
Synonyms
Lithophragma australe, L. brevilobum, L. rupicola, L. tenellum Nutt. var. thompsonii
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2 to 16 inches
Riparian
No
Perennial; rhizome; erect or leaning with a leafless flowering stem; leaves mainly on lower stem, each divided into 3 toothed lobes; stem bears 3 to 12 flowers, each in a red or green cup-like group of sepals; 5 white or pink petals.
Leaves mostly at base; basal leaves have 3 irregular lobes; 1 or 2 stem leaves; 3-lobed; short, rough, spreading hairs on leaves and stems; flower head 1 or more short, elongated cluster(s) with 3 to 12 flowers, petals jagged; short pedicels.
Habitat
Moist meadows, slopes, ponderosa pine forests.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
9000
Flower Characteristics
Seedhead loosely branched flower cluster; 3 to 12 flowers; calyx cup-shaped, 1/8 to 1/4 inch long; 5 sepals green to pinkish or reddish; petals white to pink, 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, 5-lobed; oval, narrower at base.
Flower color
White, pink
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Basal and stem leaves; alternate, deeply 3-lobed to compound, middle lobe largest; 2 stem leaves more dissected; lobes linear; leaf-like appendages of the cauline blades are fringed along margin; basal blades stalk to 2-3/4 inches long.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Splits into 3 parts.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Brown
Numerous; less than 1/16 inch.