Observations on the morphology, anatomy, classification, and reproductive cycle of Saxifraga ferruginea
A survey of morphology and anatomy has been made in the wide-ranging species, Saxifraga ferruginea Graham (Saxifragaceae), of western North America. Anatomical features are reported in detail and are consistent within the six populations studied.The species has been subdivided in many different ways by many taxonomists on the basis of morphological variability. The characteristics previously used and many others have been examined in the present study: leaf and bract size, shape, dentation, and pubescence; petal size and shape; size of pollen grains and stomata; size of seeds and length of tubercles thereon. Special attention has been given to frequency of plantlet production since this is a prime diagnostic feature in existing classifications. The many morphological features examined have all been found to vary so much even within populations that no pattern of subspeciation has appeared.The conclusion is that S. ferruginea should be considered one variable species, there being no stable characters and correlated differences on which to base subcategories. A summary of the reproductive cycle of the species is included.