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Common Name:

General Information

Saxifraga mertensiana is a Perennial
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western N. America - Alaska to California.

Habitat

Lowland to montane areas, chiefly on wet banks and along gravelly streams[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

We have almost no information for this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it is likely to succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Prefers an open soil surrounded by stones[]. Grows well in a rock garden.

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. They are best eaten before the plant flowers[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame in the spring. Surface sow, or only just cover the seed, and make sure that the compost does not dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.