Greater Rock-Jasmine

androsace maxima

The Greater Rock-Jasmine (Androsace maxima) is a charming, often overlooked annual herb belonging to the Primulaceae family, which also includes primroses. Despite its delicate appearance, this plant is a resilient colonizer of various open and disturbed habitats across its vast Eurasian range. It completes its entire life cycle within a single growing season, making the most of favorable conditions before they become too harsh. Its small stature and subtle beauty belie its ecological importance in stabilizing disturbed soils and providing early season floral resources.

Habitat: Typically found in dry, open habitats such as rocky slopes, grasslands, fallow fields, and disturbed ground.

Appearance

This diminutive plant typically grows 3 to 15 centimeters tall, featuring a basal rosette of oblong to obovate, often hairy leaves. From the center of this rosette arise slender stems topped with clusters (umbels) of tiny, radially symmetrical flowers. Each flower is small, usually white or pale pink, with five petals, and often has a yellowish 'eye' at its center. Its overall appearance is humble and low-growing, blending easily into its environment.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyPrimulaceaeGenusAndrosace

Greater Rock-Jasmine

Interesting facts

Despite its common name, 'Rock-Jasmine,' Androsace maxima is not closely related to true jasmine (genus Jasminum), which belongs to the olive family.

It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in rock gardens for its charming, delicate flowers and compact growth habit.

Its ability to thrive in poor, rocky soils makes it an important pioneer species in ecological succession, helping to stabilize disturbed ground.

The 'maxima' in its scientific name (meaning 'largest') refers to it being comparatively larger than some other species within the Androsace genus, though it remains a very small plant.

Special abilities

Androsace maxima is well-adapted to arid conditions, capable of surviving prolonged dry spells common in its natural habitat by completing its life cycle rapidly.

As an annual plant, it germinates, grows, flowers, and produces seeds within a single season, allowing it to capitalize on transient periods of favorable moisture and temperature.

It produces numerous small, lightweight seeds that can be easily dispersed by wind or small disturbances, enabling rapid colonization of new or disturbed areas.

Measurements & details

Length: 3-15 cm
Weight: 0.001-0.005 kg
Lifespan: 0-1 years
Clutch Size: 100-1000

Diet & Feeding

As a photosynthetic plant, Androsace maxima produces its own food by converting light energy into chemical energy, primarily absorbing water and essential minerals from the soil.

Age differences: Nutrient requirements may vary slightly between seedling and mature plant stages as biomass increases.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Water
Carbon Dioxide
Nitrates
Phosphates
Potassium

Foraging Method

Photosynthesis And Nutrient Absorption

Ecological connections

mutualism

Small Carpenter Bee

Ceratina cyanea

Pollinator for its small flowers, contributing to reproduction.

eaten by

Field Vole

Microtus agrestis

Potential herbivore that may graze on its leaves and stems, especially when young.

competitor

Common Poppy

Papaver rhoeas

Competitor for light, water, and soil nutrients in shared habitats.

Traits

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Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Greater Rock-Jasmine?

The easiest way to identify Greater Rock-Jasmine is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Greater Rock-Jasmine?

3-15 cm

How much does Greater Rock-Jasmine weigh?

0.001-0.005 kg

How long does Greater Rock-Jasmine live?

0-1 years

What does Greater Rock-Jasmine eat?

As a photosynthetic plant, Androsace maxima produces its own food by converting light energy into chemical energy, primarily absorbing water and essential minerals from the soil.

Where is Greater Rock-Jasmine usually found?

Typically found in dry, open habitats such as rocky slopes, grasslands, fallow fields, and disturbed ground.

How does Greater Rock-Jasmine hunt?

Photosynthesis And Nutrient Absorption

How many eggs does Greater Rock-Jasmine lay?

100-1000