Saxifraga aka Rockfoil

Saxifraga, also known as rockfoils or saxifrages, is the largest genus in the Saxifragaceae family, encompassing approximately 465 species of perennial plants. Derived from the Latin words saxum (meaning "rock" or "stone") and frangere (meaning "to break"), the name saxifraga suggests a potential medicinal use in treating urinary calculi, rather than actual rock-breaking capabilities. These holarctic plants typically form low mats, growing up to 10cm in height, with lobed leaves that create rosettes of evergreen foliage. During spring, they produce small, white, star-shaped flowers on short stems that rise above the foliage. In garden settings, Saxifraga species are often cultivated as rosette plants, reaching around 30 cm in height. The blooming period varies depending on the species, ranging from late spring to autumn, and the flowers are usually petite and can be white, pink, or red in color.