Saxifrage Family – Saxifragaceae

Plant Description: Fringecup is a perennial with one to several, 1 to 3 feet tall, very hairy flowering stems with a few small, stem-leaves and from 10 to 30 greenish-white flowers on short, sparsely hairy petioles. At the base is a clump of long-stalked, 2 to 3 inch, heart-shaped, hairy, toothed leaves with shallow lobes.

Flower Description: The sepals form a greenish, 1/2 inch cup, out of which flare 5 widely-separated, reflexed, fringe-like petals with 5 to 10 narrow lobes. The 10 stamen with orange anthers barely reach the top of the cup. The petals begin whitish and age pink, brown or bright red.

Ecology: Fringecup grows in moist forests and openings at all elevations, but mostly low to middle. It is very common at low elevations where it sometimes forms large patches.

Note: The flowers of Fringecup are fragrant.