Micranthes nivalis

(Linnaeus) Small

in N. L. Britton et al., N. Amer. Fl. 22: 136. 1905 ,.

Common names: Alpine saxifrage saxifrage des neiges
Basionym: Saxifraga nivalis Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 1: 401. 1753
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 8. Treatment on page 64. Mentioned on page 52, 65, 66.

Plants tufted, with bulbils on caudices. Leaves basal; petiole flattened, (0.4–)1–4 cm; blade ovate to ± round, sometimes elliptic or oblong, (0.5–)1–4 cm, thick, coriaceous, base attenuate to ± truncate, margins serrate to dentate on distal 2/3 (sometimes more), proximally ciliate, surfaces ± densely tangled, reddish brown-hairy abaxially, glabrous or glabrate adaxially. Inflorescences (5–)10–40-flowered, congested, almost capitate thyrses, (3–)7–20 cm, ± densely purple-tipped stipitate-glandular. Flowers: sepals erect, spreading in fruit, ovate to deltate; petals white, sometimes pink tinged, not spotted, oblong to ovate, clawed, 2–4 mm, ± equaling sepals; filaments linear, flattened; pistils connate ca. 1/2 their lengths; ovary 1/2 inferior, appearing more superior in fruit. Capsules green, becoming reddish to purplish, folliclelike. 2n = 60.


Phenology: Flowering summer.
Habitat: Open, mossy tundra, rocky ridges, or shady ledges
Elevation: 0-1500 m

Distribution

V8 123-distribution-map.gif

Greenland, Alta., B.C., Nfld. and Labr. (Labr.), N.W.T., Nunavut, Que., Yukon, Alaska, Europe, Asia (Himalayas, Kamchatka, Siberia).

Discussion

Micranthes nivalis is closely related to M. tenuis. All records of M. nivalis in the United States (except Alaska) appear to be misapplied to or misidentifications of M. aprica, M. occidentalis, or M. rhomboidea. Occasional, dwarfed specimens of M. hieraciifolia and M. subapetala are similarly mislabelled.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Micranthes nivalis"
Luc Brouillet +  and Patrick E. Elvander† +
(Linnaeus) Small +
Saxifraga nivalis +
Alpine saxifrage +  and saxifrage des neiges +
Greenland +, Alta. +, B.C. +, Nfld. and Labr. (Labr.) +, N.W.T. +, Nunavut +, Que. +, Yukon +, Alaska +, Europe +, Asia (Himalayas +, Kamchatka +  and Siberia). +
0-1500 m +
Open, mossy tundra, rocky ridges, or shady ledges +
Flowering summer. +
in N. L. Britton et al., N. Amer. Fl. +
Micranthes nivalis +
Micranthes +
species +