Soddy Saxifrage

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Soddy saxifrage (Latin Saxifraga cespitosa) - flower culture; a representative of the genus Saxifrage of the Saxifragaceae family. The native land of the species is the taiga and tundra zones of the Northern Hemisphere. In nature, the species grows in North America and Eurasia. Soddy saxifrage is especially common on open cliffs and rocky crevices in some states of America.

Characteristics of culture

Soddy saxifrage is represented by perennial plants no higher than 20 cm, forming a dense basal rosette of leaves and a pubescent and glandular stem. The leaves are dark green, the lower ones are finger-separate, consisting of 5 segments, which have a linear shape with rounded tips; the upper ones are small, sessile, whole or thrice pinnately dissected.

Flowers of soddy saxifrage are white, red or pink, numerous, small. Fruits are capsules containing a large number of seeds. Flowering occurs in June - July. Outwardly, the soddy saxifrage resembles an airy and at the same time very dense pillow. In culture, the species is rarely used. Gardeners most often use hybrids obtained by crossing the species in question with a rosy saxifrage.

In nature, by the way, one variety of soddy saxifrage was identified - var. emarginate. It is represented by plants that form basal bundles of leaves, close to each other, above which flower stalks rise, bearing inflorescences consisting of small white flowers. The species is found primarily in Washington, DC, in rocky areas. Soddy saxifrage is frost-resistant, unpretentious to growing conditions, undemanding to care, propagated by seeds, dividing the bush and cuttings.

Growing features

Like many saxifrage, this species needs moist, permeable and loose soil. Plants will tolerate commonwealth even with poor soils, but with dry soils - in no case. They will not put up with either drought or waterlogging, this is destructive for them. It is not recommended to plant plants on sandy (especially sunny areas), saline, waterlogged, compacted and heavy substrates. The location is preferably semi-shaded with diffused light, areas open to the sun are not prohibited, but in this case the plants need protection from the scorching rays at midday.

Sowing seeds of soddy saxifrage is preferable to carry out in seedling boxes in March. You can sow directly into open ground, but still the first option makes it possible to get stronger seedlings. The seeds of the saxifrage are small, so they do not need deep planting, they can be scattered over the nutritious and moist soil, and covered with a thin layer of fine sand on top. With good care, seedlings will appear in 2-3 weeks. In the phase of the first true leaf, the seedlings dive in separate containers. In open ground, grown seedlings are planted in June - July.

Application in traditional medicine

Unfortunately, not all saxifrage can boast of healing properties, but this does not apply to the species in question. The dry roots of the plant are used in the treatment of diseases of the urinary system. Infusions and decoctions are prepared from raw materials, which are combined with other useful components, for example, rosehip decoction and honey. Soddy saxifrage has a strong antiseptic, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, it is often advised to use it in the treatment of various inflammatory processes and disorders.