Saxifraga tridactylites - Rue-leaved Saxifrage - (Saxifragaceae)

Rue-leaved Saxifrage is locally common and widespread throughout England, Wales and Ireland.

It grows to a height of around 15cm and has pretty small white flowers. The zigzag stems and leaves, both of which are distinctly reddish in colour, are the defining features of this plant and set it apart from other saxifrage species to occur in Britain and Ireland.

Rue-leaved Saxifrage flowers from June to September, and grows in bare, dry locations, on the tops of walls and in sandy, rocky soils which are calcareous.

We have seen this plant in The Burren in County Clare in Ireland and also in Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve on the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons in Wales. The specimens on this page were photographed in The Burren in June.