# Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage (*Chrysosplenium alternifolium*)

The Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage is a lovely green plant that grows close to the ground. It has shiny leaves and tiny yellow flowers that bloom in spring, making it a cheerful sight in nature.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Wetlands

![Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chrysosplenium_alternifolium_BavariaMay2005a.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chrysosplenium_alternifolium_BavariaMay2005a.jpg)

## Appearance

The Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage is a low-growing plant, typically featuring bright yellow-green leaves and inconspicuous, tiny yellowish-green flowers. Its kidney-shaped leaves are alternately arranged, often with wavy, toothed edges, making it distinctive in damp, shady environments.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Saxifragales
- **Family:** Saxifragaceae
- **Genus:** Chrysosplenium

## Interesting facts

- Its 'flowers' are mostly colorful yellow-green leaves called bracts that trick early insects into visiting!
- It’s an early bird, often blooming before trees even grow their leaves in spring!
- This plant can grow half-submerged in water, making it a true water-loving champion!
- Tiny hairs on its stem are like mini-sponges, helping it capture and drink morning dew!

## Special abilities

- **Water-Lover's Roots:** Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage has roots that can thrive even in waterlogged soil, helping it survive in boggy habitats.
- **Early Bloomer:** Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage can bloom very early in spring, providing crucial nectar for early emerging insects.
- **Rhizome Spreader:** Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage has creeping rhizomes that help it quickly colonize and spread across damp, shady ground.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-20 cm
- **Spread:** 10-30 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Early spring to late spring
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Marmalade Hoverfly (*Syrphus ribesii*) — Attracted by its yellow-green bracts for nectar
- **Pollinates:** Western Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits early spring blooms for pollen and nectar
- **Eats:** [Black Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Slugs and snails sometimes feed on its tender leaves

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult first.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage?

5-20 cm

### How wide does Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage spread?

10-30 cm

### How big are the flowers on Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage?

0.3-0.5 cm

### When does Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage bloom?

Early spring to late spring

### Is Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage edible?

Yes

### Is Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage toxic?

None

### What is Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

---

Source: [Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alternate-leaved-golden-saxifrage)