Saxifrage, Mossy

Information on Mossy Saxifrage

Common Name: Mossy Saxifrage
Scientific Name: Saxifraga hypnoides
Irish Name: Mórán caonaigh
Family Group: Saxifragaceae
Distribution: View Map (Courtesy of the BSBI)
Flowering Period


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Mossy Saxifrage could sometimes be confused with:

Saxifrage, Irish,

This little plant grows to a height of 20cm with pretty white flowers - 10-15mm across - which have 5, slightly-overlapping green-veined petals; the buds are nodding and the flowers are in clusters on erect hairless stems. The leaves are in basal rosettes with 3-5 narrow pointed lobes and the plant is mat forming on rock ledges, screes and grassy damp ground. Numerous non flowering shoots give a moss like appearance. It has long runners, unlike Irish Saxifrage. This is a native perennial which is found locally in County Sligo & the Burren and it belongs to the Saxifrage family.

I first recorded this plant in 2012 in the Burren, after I had been given advice by Stephen Ward, one of the BSBI Vice-county Recorders for Co Clare. 

If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre

Saxifrage, Mossy
Saxifrage, Mossy