Flowers of the Alps

Mossy Saxifrage

Saxifraga bryoides or Moosartiger Steinbrech

Photo taken in the Stubai Alps not far from the Dresdner hut: Allan Hartley

A common perennial and evergreen plant that graces the majority of mountain tracks, it is the mountaineer of plants since it likes rocky and stony places with lots of sunshine. Found in small groups clinging to rock crevices it's quite a small plant, just 25mm high, with five white petals arranged in a star shaped formation contrasted with a centre which is dotted with yellow spots. It flowers in July and August. In winter the leaves curl together to conserve energy.

Although it is most common in the Arctic tundra, mossy saxifrage occurs between 1,900m and 3,000m in the Alps, Balkans, the Pyrenees and the Carpathian mountains. Protected throughout the Alps.

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