Saxifraga nathorstii, Nathorst's saxifrage, is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Saxifragaceae.[1] Saxifraga nathorstii is a putative allotetraploid hydrid between S. aizoides and S. oppositifolia,[2][3] and morphologically intermediate, even in terms of pollen,[4] between the parent species.

Saxifraga nathorstii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Saxifragaceae
Genus: Saxifraga
Species:
S. nathorstii
Binomial name
Saxifraga nathorstii
(Dusén) Hayek
Synonyms[1]
  • Boecherarctica narthorstii (Dusén) Á.Löve
  • Saxifraga oppositifolia narthorstii (Dusén) Farrer
  • Saxifraga oppositifolia var. narthorstii Dusén

It is native and endemic to Greenland,[1] and has a limited distribution in Northeast Greenland.

Description edit

It is a somewhat densely tufted perennial with 3 – 6 cm high ascending stems. The singular sordid pink to fleshy coloured flowers are 8 – 15 mm wide, have 5 petals, which do not overlap, and 5 sepals 2 – 3 mm long.

Stems with alternate to opposite 4 – 9 mm long lance-shaped leaves with a pointed oval apex.[5]

Distribution and habitat edit

Commonly found on moist sandy to gravelly soils, e.g. in riverbeds sand and gravel or desiccated ponds.[5]

Distribution ranges from Danmarks Island (70°30'N) to Jonsbu, Hochstetter Foreland (75°20'N).[6][7]

Conservation status edit

Despite is its limited distribution range and endemic status it is not a threatened species.[8] The Greenland red list 2018 assesses the species to be of Least concern, but a species of national responsibility due to it endemic status. S. nathorstii have not been assessed on the IUCN red list.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Saxifraga nathorstii". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Saxifraga nathorstii - FNA". floranorthamerica.org. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  3. ^ Wittrock., Böcher, Tyge (1941). On the origin of Saxifraga nathorsti (Dusén) v. Hayeck. Reitzel. OCLC 602487813.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Ferguson, I. K. (1972). "Notes on the Pollen Morphology of Saxifraga nathorstii and Its Putative Parents S. aizoides and S. oppositifolia (Saxifragaceae)". Kew Bulletin. 27 (3): 475–481. doi:10.2307/4114360. ISSN 0075-5974. JSTOR 4114360.
  5. ^ a b Rune, Flemming (2011). Wild flowers of Greenland = Grønlands vilde planter (1st ed.). Hillerød: Gyldenlund. ISBN 978-87-993172-5-7. OCLC 769278518.
  6. ^ Halliday, Geoffrey (2019). A flora of the East Greenland Central Fjord region, 70°N-77°N. R. W. M. Corner. [Brough, Cumbria, UK]. ISBN 978-0-9539718-7-9. OCLC 1099793607.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. ^ Bay, Christian (1992). A phytogeographical study of the vascular plants of northern Greenland - north of 74o northern latitude. Kommissionen for videnskabelige undersøgelser i Grønland. ISBN 87-503-9972-1. OCLC 473949747.
  8. ^ Boertmann, David; Bay, Christian. Grønlands Rødliste 2018 – Fortegnelse over grønlandske dyr og planters trusselstatus. Aarhus Universitet, Nationalt Center for Energi og Miljø (DCE) og Grønlands Naturinstitut.
  9. ^ "IUCN red list". IUCN red list.