Saxifraga aff bergenioides

[Philip MacDougall]

Hi All
Reviewing slides of a trip in Yunnan this summer I came across this. I didn't think anything of it at the time, perhaps a lack of oxygen. Any opinions on what it is. Hopefully not just a misshapen Bergenia. I suspect it may be a Saxifraga, perhaps something close to Saxifraga  bergenioides. Philip

[Maggi Young]

Hi Philip!
besats me what it might be - good colour though.

[Darren]

I've just been reading the September 2010 edition of the Rock garden (Vol 78 number 3). On page 341 is a picture of Arenaria melandryformis from Tim Lever's (et al) trip to Bhutan. The (closed) flowers don't look like your picture but the leaves do so I wondered if it was actually an Arenaria rather than a Saxifrage? The Arenaria in Tim's picture has pronounced and attractive coronas behind the flowers, rather like Sax bergenioides - did your plant have this feature as well Philip? Your proposed ID suggests it may have done even if the picture does not show it.

[Maggi Young]

I think you  mean the September 2010 issue of the AGS Bulletin, Darren  - I've found the article you mention.

Arenaria melandryiformis http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242000203
This plant has, according to FOC - 10 stamens and white flowers. No mention of the big calyx as seen in the bulletin pic 


I'll add a link to another paper with it, if I can track it down - cannot find the report I was thinking of!


 

[Darren]

Thanks Maggi - you are quite right - it was the Alpine Gardener. That's what happens when I use the computer past my bedtime