Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage

Chrysosplenium oppositifolium

Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage is a lovely green plant that grows in damp places. Its shiny leaves grow in pairs, and it blooms with tiny yellow flowers in spring, making it a cheerful sight in nature.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage is a small, low-growing plant with succulent-like, rounded leaves arranged in opposite pairs along its stems. Its tiny, bright yellow-green flowers are petal-less and often appear in clusters, creating a vibrant splash in damp, shady areas.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSaxifragalesFamilySaxifragaceaeGenusChrysosplenium

Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage

Interesting facts

It can form a soft, emerald-green carpet in mossy forests and along stream banks.

Its tiny flowers have no petals, yet they still attract hungry little flies for pollination!

Its tiny yellow-green flowers often look like they're sparkling with dew drops!

This little plant is nicknamed 'golden-saxifrage' because it loves wet, rocky spots.

Special abilities

Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage has large, thin leaves that efficiently capture sunlight in dim woodland understories.

Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage spreads quickly using creeping stems, forming dense mats to cover bare ground.

Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage blooms very early in spring before trees leaf out, getting a head start on light.

Measurements & details

Height: 5-20 cm
Spread: 10-30 cm
Flower Size: 0.2-0.5 cm
Bloom Season: Early spring to early summer
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Visits tiny flowers for nectar and pollen.

eaten by

Black Slug

Arion ater

Commonly grazes on its succulent leaves and stems.

shelters

Common Centipede

Lithobius forficatus

Hides among its dense growth in damp conditions.

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

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

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

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.