Strawberry saxifrage facts for kids

Saxifragopsis fragarioides is a unique flowering plant. It is often called the strawberry saxifrage. This plant is the only species in its group, which is known as Saxifragopsis. Sometimes, people include it in a similar plant group called Saxifraga.

Where the Strawberry Saxifrage Grows

This plant naturally grows in the northwestern part of the United States. You can mostly find it in the Klamath Mountains. These mountains are located in southern Oregon and northern California. It also appears in a few separate spots in Washington. The strawberry saxifrage likes to grow in rocky mountain areas. This includes places with loose rocks, like talus slopes.

What the Strawberry Saxifrage Looks Like

The strawberry saxifrage is a perennial herb. This means it lives for many years and does not have a woody stem like a tree. It grows low to the ground, forming a mat. It has a thick, woody base called a caudex. It also spreads using underground stems called rhizomes.

Most of its leaves grow close to the ground. Each leaf has an oval shape with small teeth along the edges. The leaf blade connects to a long stalk, called a petiole, with a joint. This joint makes it easy for the leaf to break off. Smaller leaves can also be found along the plant's main stem.

The plant produces a tall, upright flower stalk. This stalk is called a peduncle. It is usually hairy and a bit sticky. Many small clusters of white flowers grow on this stalk. These flower clusters are known as an inflorescence.