Saxifraga parnassifolia D. Don, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 13(2): 405-406 405 1821. (Syn: Saxifraga diversifolia var. parnassifolia (D. Don) Ser.; Saxifraga parnassifolia var. obscuricallosa J.T. Pan);
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As per efi thread:
Basal leaves with truncate-cuneate base; style absent or reduced, different shape of radical and cauline leaves …….  S. diversifolia.
Basal leaves with cordate base; style present, conspicuous ….. S. parnassifolia
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As per efi thread:

1. The bottom leaves on S. parnassifolia have long hairy stalks (3-4 cm, photo 7967), while those on S. moorcroftiana have barely a tiny winged stalk that is easy to miss.
2. The petals of S. moorcroftiana have red markings and are rounder than those of S. parnassifolia.
3. The sepals on S. moorcroftiana flowers are ovate, fringed with red glands while those on S. parnassifolia are more lanceolate and have translucent white glands.
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Flora of Chakrata: Saxifraga sp from Budher Caves Road Chakrata: 5 posts by 4 authors. Attachments (14)

Saxifraga sp from Budher Caves Road Chakrata
My id is Saxifraga parnassifolia


This is Saxifraga parnassifolia. In addition to the differences between this and S.moorcroftiana given in ‘Flowers of the Himalaya’, the assorted images of both species posted on this site and my own images of S.moorcroftiana have shown clear differences. S.parnassifolia has more rounded /circular petals with 2 noticeable ‘appendages’ at the base of petals. S.moorcroftiana does not have the appendages but typically markings on the interior of the petals which are narrower, a markedly different shape.
Both species are recorded for this region.  Other than that, I think, given that not only has there been confusion between the two species historically, that has continued to this day, as shown by the postings on this site, quoting what the floras and references have to say is pointless.  I feel I have built up the better understanding – thanks to viewing plants in the wild and the other images seen thanks to eFI. This is superior to pressed specimens alone in herbaria…..



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VOF Week: Saxifraga parnassifolia at VOF:
I think this herb is Saxifraga parnassifolia (Family: Saxifragaceae).
Date/Time: 08-08-2012 / 07:30AM
Location:
VOF
Habitat: Wild


Yes … We also got this one from Chakrata.


This is Saxifraga parnassifolia. In addition to the differences between this and S.moorcroftiana given in ‘Flowers of the Himalaya’, the assorted images of both species posted on this site and my own images of S.moorcroftiana have shown clear differences.  S.parnassifolia has more rounded /circular petals with 2 noticeable ‘appendages’ at the base of petals. S.moorcroftiana does not have the appendages but typically markings on the interior of the petals which are narrower, a markedly different shape.
Both species are recorded for this region.  Other than that, I think, given that not only has there been confusion between the two species historically, that has continued to this day, as shown by the postings on this site, quoting what the floras and references have to say is pointless.  I feel I have built up the better understanding – thanks to viewing plants in the wild and the other images seen thanks to eFI.  This is superior to pressed specimens alone in herbaria…..



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VOF Week: Saxifraga parnassifolia for validation:
This species was shot from near the entry gate to Valley of Flowers on august 14, 2012..I hope this is Saxifraga parnassifolia..


I think Yes This was also shot from Chakata


This is Saxifraga parnassifolia. In addition to the differences between this and S.moorcroftiana given in ‘Flowers of the Himalaya’, the assorted images of both species posted on this site and my own images of S.moorcroftiana have shown clear differences.  S.parnassifolia has more rounded /circular petals with 2 noticeable ‘appendages’ at the base of petals. S.moorcroftiana does not have the appendages but typically markings on the interior of the petals which are narrower, a markedly different shape.
Both species are recorded for this region.  Other than that, I think, given that not only has there been confusion between the two species historically, that has continued to this day, as shown by the postings on this site, quoting what the floras and references have to say is pointless.  I feel I have built up the better understanding – thanks to viewing plants in the wild and the other images seen thanks to eFI.  This is superior to pressed specimens alone in herbaria…..



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VoF Week : Saxifraga brachypoda:
Saxifraga brachypoda of Saxifragaceae family
Valley of Flowers National Park
14th August 2012


I think this could be Saxifraga parnassifolia.


yes …, Makes sense….I am sorry for wrongly posting it.


Nothing like S.brachypoda. This is Saxifraga parnassifolia. In addition to the differences between this and S.moorcroftiana given in ‘Flowers of the Himalaya’, the assorted images of both species posted on this site and my own images of S.moorcroftiana have shown clear differences.  S.parnassifolia has more rounded /circular petals with 2 noticeable ‘appendages’ at the base of petals. S.moorcroftiana does not have the appendages but typically markings on the interior of the petals which are narrower, a markedly different shape.
Both species are recorded for this region.  Other than that, I think, given that not only has there been confusion between the two species historically, that has continued to this day, as shown by the postings on this site, quoting what the floras and references have to say is pointless.  I feel I have built up the better understanding – thanks to viewing plants in the wild and the other images seen thanks to eFI.  This is superior to pressed specimens alone in herbaria…..


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Saxifraga parnassifolia ABJUL01/12 : 5 posts by 3 authors. 3 images.
While looking for an old photograph in my backup hard disk, I came across a few plants I had photographed in 2014 and never edited them. I will share them in separate emails for your advice. This one, I think, is the Himalayan Saxifrage. I will look out for it this year for better photographs. Please advise.
Saxifraga parnassifolia—Himalayan Saxifrage
Above Mcleodganj, Dharamshala, HP
1900m
31 August, 2014.

I think yes. Ignore/crop twig on the right which may cause confusion. Better photos at efi thread.


You are right … These are again from 2014 when I did not know better. I hope to find these again to photograph them properly this time. Could the leaves on the right be of Oplismenus compositus?



These beautiful golden yellow flowers are plentiful at higher slopes. I am sharing some photos here.
Saxifraga parnassifolia
21 August 2016
4 images.


You are correct, this is Saxifraga parnassifolia. So you have photographed this and S.moorcroftiana (from a higher elevation) in HP.  In addition to the differences between this and S.moorcroftiana given in ‘Flowers of the Himalaya’, the assorted images of both species posted on this site and my own images of S.moorcroftiana have shown clear differences. S.parnassifolia has more rounded /circular petals with 2 noticeable ‘appendages’ at the base of petals. S.moorcroftiana does not have the appendages but typically markings on the interior of the petals which are narrower, a markedly different shape.
Both species are recorded for this region.  Other than that, I think, given that not only has there been confusion between the two species historically, that has continued to this day, as shown by the postings on this site, quoting what the floras and references have to say is pointless.  I feel I have built up the better understanding – thanks to viewing plants in the wild and the other images seen thanks to eFI.  This is superior to pressed specimens alone in herbaria…..
I think in light of your images and my better understanding of the differences between the two species, ALL previous records of both species need reviewing in herbaria and their distribution, altitudinally and geographically needs reviewing.
A clear lesson that one needs to check. I could have assumed all the postings for S.parnassifolia were correct because the first ones were (and the last, this one) but others turned out to be S.moorcroftiana.
The images posted by yourself and others on eFI have been informative to complement characteristics observed on herbarium specimens – which is the future, to combine digital photos, living specimens in cultivation of known provenance and traditional pressed specimens.



Saxifraga parnassifolia D.Don : 7 posts by 1 author. 7 images- 6 to 7 mb each.
Location: Kathmandu Valley
Date:  October 2020 
Elevation: 2700m.
Habitat  : Wild

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Saxifraga parnassifolia D.Don
Similar to S. moorcroftiana (basal leaves elliptic to lanceolate, attenuate at base, apex acute) but easily separated by basal leaves being broadly ovate, subcordate with obtuse apex.
Photographed from near Budher Caves Chakrata, 18-9-2011.


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Requested to please ID these yellow flowers seen on the way from Govindghat to Ghangria in August 2018. They were clicked at various places on the way.

On going through the Saxifragaceae pages in efi, this seems to be Saxifraga parnassifolia.
Could you please validate?


Looks somewhat different at first glance as per

Other recipients:
I guess it is matching. Thank you. Saroj Kasaju
I guess it is matching.

I guess you mean it is matching with S. parnassifolia.

Yes, I mean so.

I think more closer to images and details at Saxifraga moorcroftiana rather than those at Saxifraga parnassifolia

Saxifraga diversifolia to me.

Thanks … Is S. diversifolia a syn. of S. moorcroftiana?


No, …



Thanks …, yes, on closer examination, there seem to be 2 sets, the first 4 images have been taken enroute Ghangaria from Gobindghat. The second set was taken at Hemkund.

On further consideration, the last three images are of Saxifraga moorcroftiana, as per images and details herein.
Not certain about 4th image.
The First four may be of Saxifraga parnassifolia as look different from Saxifraga diversifolia as per Plant illustrations and keys in Flora of China.


The last 4 images have been taken enroute Hemkund and have been taken within minutes (and not seconds) of each other and hence, may or may not belong to the same population.
However, I think, they all belong to the same species – all with sepals fringed with red glands
Currently I take them all as S. moorcraftiana based on your feedback.


I do not see any red glands in 1st 3 images.


Some misunderstanding here.

The 1st 4 images are different than the last 4.
The last 4 pics have some kind of red glands on the fringes.
Attached is a copy of what I meant.
In summary, I meant
The first 4 agree with the S. parnassifloia pics on efi, the last 4 S. moorcroftiana.
…, are you of the same understanding?

Yes


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Saxifraga parnassifolia D.Don: 7 very high res. images.

Location: Jumla, Nepal
Altitude:  3118m.
Date: 18 August 2021
Habit : Wild 

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What is Saxifraga diversifolia ?:
After going through images at Saxifraga parnassifolia, I got confused after seeing the variations in images herein.
On searching in detail, I could not find the real difference between the two and inf. being contradictory at various places.
Flora of China gives the following keys:

24 (23) At least some cauline leaves ovate, base cordate, ± amplexicaul; sepals erect to spreading. (25)
+ Cauline leaves narrowly elliptic, base rounded, not amplexicaul; sepals reflexed. (26)
25 (24) Petals to 8 mm 29 S. parnassiifolia
+ Petals at least 8 mm 28 S. sphaeradena
26 (24) Inflorescence cymose, 2- or 3-flowered, or flower solitary; basal leaf blade 1.1-2 cm 23 S. dianxibeiensis
+ Inflorescence corymbiform, 5-17-flowered; basal leaf blade 1.5-5 cm 22 S. diversifolia
However, it looks contradictory in Plant illustrations one and two of Saxifraga diversifolia.
Here is the description of Saxifraga diversifolia from IBIS Flora from Flora of British India (could not find it for Saxifraga parnassifolia):

Wall. in Sternb. Saxifrag. Suppl, t. 22 ; flowers corymbose rarely 3-2, sepals ovate-oblong small, cauline leaves sessile often cordate and amplexicaul, radical leaves long-petioled often large. Wall. Cat. 452 ; DC. Prodr. iv. 44 ; Hook. Lond. Journ. Bot. iv. t. 21 ; H. f. & T. in Journ. Linn. Soc. ii. 70 ; Engler Monog. Saxifrag. 125. S. parnassifolia, Wall. Cat. 451, partly ; Don in Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. 405 ; DC. Prodr. iv. 25 ; Sternb. Saxifrag. Suppl, t. 25. S. Moorcroftiana, Wall. Cat. 453 ; Sternb. Saxifrag. Suppl, t. 24. S. lysimachoides, Klotzsch in. Reis. Pr. Waldem. Bot. t. 42.
Alpine Himalaya ; from KASHMIR to BHOTAN, alt. 9000-17,000 ft., abundant.
Stems 8-18 in. high, leafy, glandular, often finally glabrous. Radical leaves long-petioled, narrowed into the petiole or (var. parnassifolia) ovate, subcordate ;
 cauline 1/2-2 in., ovate or broad oblong. Sepals at length reflexed. Petals with 4 stalked glands at their base, 1.1/2—2 times the sepals. Styles very short. Capsule ovate-oblong. Seeds angular, testa smooth, somewhat plaited.

Here is what Flora of China says:
Saxifraga diversifolia:
Herbs perennial, 16-43 cm tall. Stem proximally brown crisped villous or glabrous, distally shortly glandular hairy. Basal leaves with petiole 3-9 cm, abaxially and marginally brown villous; leaf blade ovate-cordate to narrowly ovate, 1.5-5 × 1.2-2.6 cm, abaxially and marginally brown pubescent, adaxially glabrous or brown pilose near base, base cordate, apex acute. Cauline leaves 8-12; petiole 0.5-4 cm, brown crisped villous; leaf blade subcordate or ovate-cordate to narrowly ovate, 1-6.3 × 0.4-4 cm, base cordate or subcordate, apex obtuse or acute; proximal leaf blades larger, abaxially and marginally brown pilose or glandular pilose, adaxially glabrous or subglabrous; distal leaf blades smaller, usually glabrous on both surfaces, glandular hairy at margin. Cyme corymbose, 3-14 cm, 5-17-flowered; pedicels 6-12 mm, glandular hairy. Sepals reflexed, narrowly to broadly ovate, 3-4.2 × 1.3-3.5 mm, abaxially glandular hairy or glabrous on both surfaces, veins 3(-5), not or partly confluent at apex, margin membranous, glandular ciliate, apex obtuse or acute, rarely erose. Petals yellow, elliptic, obovate, or ovate to narrowly so, rarely oblong, 5-8 × 2-5 mm, usually not callose, rarely 4-6-callose, (3-)5-7(-9)-veined, base narrowed into a claw 0.5-1.3 mm, apex obtuse. Stamens 4-5.6 mm. Ovary subsuperior, ovoid, 3-4.2 mm; styles 1-1.6 mm. Fl. and fr. Aug-Oct. 2n = 16, (?20).

Forests, forest margins, scrub, alpine meadows, rock crevices; 2700-4300 m. W Sichuan, SE Xizang, N Yunnan [Bhutan, Kashmir, Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim].

Saxifraga diversifolia is extremely polymorphic. Many of the variants have been published as species, which are accepted as such in the present account because a very narrow species concept has been adopted in classifying the variation. However, many botanists would prefer to see rather more “lumping,” and comments relating to how this might be done are made in relevant places.


Saxifraga parnassiifolia
 D. Don:
Saxifraga diversifolia Wallich ex Seringe var. parnassiifolia (D. Don) Seringe;
Herbs perennial, cespitose, 11.5-24 cm tall. Stem branched, densely brown crisped glandular villous. Basal leaves with petiole 1.3-2.7 cm, crisped glandular villous; leaf blade cordate-ovate, 1.5-4 × 1.3-3 cm, crisped villous on both surfaces and at margin or glabrous adaxially, base cordate, apex acute. Cauline leaves 6 or 7, sessile, ovate to cordate, 0.9-3.5 × 0.5-2.3 cm, base cordate, semiamplexicaul, apex obtuse or acute; proximal leaves glandular villous on both surfaces and at margin or glabrous adaxially; distal leaves shortly glandular hairy on both surfaces, margin shortly glandular hairy and glandular villous. Pleiochasium 2-2.5 cm, 6-11-flowered; pedicels shortly glandular hairy. Sepals erect to spreading, ovate to broadly so, 3-4 × 1.5-2.9 mm, shortly brown glandular hairy abaxially, adaxially distally, and at margin and apex, veins 5-7, confluent into a verruca at apex. Petals yellow, obovate to broadly ovate, 5-7.9 × 3.5-4 mm, subcolumnar 4-6-callose, not or indistinctly 2- or 3-callose, 5-7-veined, base contracted into a claw 0.6-1.7 mm, apex obtuse. Stamens 2.5-4 mm. Ovary subsuperior, ovoid, 1.6-2.5 mm; styles 1-2 mm. Fl. Jul-Sep. 2n = 16.

Abies forest margins, slopes; 2700-4000 m. S Xizang (Nyalam Xian, Zayü Xian) [Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sikkim].

Saxifraga parnassiifolia var. obscuricallosa, which was accepted in FRPS, cannot be distinguished reliably because of intermediates.

Can anyone solve this mystery or give clear cut and verifiable keys between the two?


Very pertinent question. Let’s see what others have to say.
As indicated by Eflora of China and also Vol 1, Flora of Nepal, in S. parnassifolia the cauline leaves are more or less amplexicaule and the basal leaves resemble that of Parnassia. In S. diversifolia the cauline leaves ovate and not amplexicaule.
Earlier illustrations and photos could be mixed and include S. parnassifolia which was considered a variety of S. diversifolia for a long time.
Having said this, I need to see it more closely in the field.

here I’m pasting one more key, may it help you, I had never seen Saxifraga diversifolia, so don’t have images of the same.
Basal leaves with truncate-cuneate base; style absent or reduced, different shape of radical and cauline leaves …….  S. diversifolia.
Basal leaves with cordate base; style present, conspicuous ….. S. parnassifolia


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Saxifraga parnassifolia D.Don: 6 very high res. images.

Location: Rara, Nepal
Altitude:  2891m.
Date: 22 August 2021 
Habit : Wild 


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