Family: saxifrages (Saxifragaceae)
Flowering time: April–June
Size: 2–20 cm
Habitat: rocky terrain, old walls and sandy soils
Three-toothed saxifrage (Saxifraga tridactylites) is a small annual plant, entirely covered with sticky glands. Small, 5 to 20 mm long, entire-margined or three-toothed basal leaves form a basal rosette, but this rosette usually dries up by the time of flowering. A somewhat fleshy stem leaf also gave this saxifrage its name, as they are usually three-toothed. At the top of the stem, small white flowers form a branched inflorescence. The pedicels are two to five times longer than the five-stamen flowers. Snow-white petals are 2 to 4 mm long.
Three-toothed saxifrage grows on the driest rocky or sandy substrate, preferring full sun. It will flower on old masonry, rocky outcrops, sandy soils along roads and paths, and on similar ’extreme’ habitats. In our country it is widely distributed, with the exception of Prekmurje and much of northwestern Slovenia, but due to its miniature appearance it is easily overlooked.
