Saxifraga peltataTorrey ex Bentham [family SAXIFRAGACEAE], Pl. Hartw., 311. 1849
Treatment Author(s)
Elizabeth Fortson Wells
Patrick E. Elvander†
Information
Leaves: petiole 20–150 cm; blade (5–)10–60(–90) cm wide. Inflorescences scapose, 30–150 cm, sparsely stipitate-glandular. Flowers: hypanthium saucerlike, 0.5–1 mm; sepals reflexed, rounded to oblong, 2.5–5 mm, apex rounded; petals spreading, broadly elliptic to obovate, unlobed, 5–9 × 4–4.5 mm; stamens 4 mm; styles divergent, 1 mm. Capsules 2, reddish, elliptic, 7–11 mm. Seeds 120–150, 1–1.5 mm. 2n = 34.
Phenology
Flowering Apr–Jul
Altitude range
30–1800 m
Distribution
USA Calif.USA Oreg.
Discussion
Darmera peltata is found in the Sierra Nevada of California from Tulare County to Siskiyou County and in the Klamath Mountains and Coast Range from Humboldt County in California to Benton County, Oregon. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental. Pregnant Karok women took an infusion of the roots of D. peltata to prevent the fetus from getting too large; Karok and Miwok Indians ate the plant (D. E. Moerman 1998).
