Vulnerability: not assessed
Invasive: no
Identification: easy
Monitoring: easy
What is it?
Purple saxifrage is a plant that grows low and in mats on rocky and gravelly soils. The leaves are very small, rounded, and look like scales. The plant is one of the first to flower in spring, giving many beautiful purple flowers that are easily recognizable.
Where is it?
Purple saxifrage is circumpolar, widely distributed in all Arctic regions as well as more southern alpine regions. It is found on Kaffeklubben island, the most northern piece of land in the world, making it the most northern growing vascular plant along with mountain avens. It was also found in the Alps at a higher altitude than any other plant.
Interesting facts
  • In Finland, the purple saxifrage is only found in the far north of the country, and is near threatened due to climate change.
  • The purple saxifrage is the official flower of the territory of Nunavut. Nunavummuit (the people of Nunavut) make a tea from it that is believed to relieve stomach aches.
  • The flowers contain vitamin C, so it is eaten in Canadian Indigenous communities where berries are rare.
  • The purple saxifrage is a preferred food of the arctic hare.

Pictures

References

  • Abbott, R.J. and Comes, H.P. (2004), Evolution in the Arctic: a phylogeographic analysis of the circumarctic plant, Saxifraga oppositifolia (Purple saxifrage). New Phytologist, 161: 211-224. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00953.x
  • Körner, Christian (2011). "Coldest places on earth with angiosperm plant life". Alpine Botany. 121 (1): 11–22. doi:10.1007/s00035-011-0089-1. S2CID 22796093.
  • The Official Flower of Nunavut. (2021). Nunavut Legislative Assembly. https://assembly.nu.ca/about-legislative-assembly/official-flower-nunavut
PARTNERS

Project collaborators in Iceland

Made possible with support from

The Icelandic Climate Fund (2020-2021)
The North Atlantic Cooperation (2021-2023)