Friday’s seeds: the curious case of Leptarrhena pyrolifolia

I first wrote a very short post on Leptarrhena pyrolifolia seeds in 2018, after receiving a small package of seeds from a friend. I was wondering that time about the particular shape of the seeds, different than any other seeds of the Saxifragaceae family I’ve seen.

In a way it makes sense, Leptarrhena pyrolifolia (Leatherleaf saxifrage) is the only species of its genus. The name comes from: Greek leptos, slender, and arrhen, male, alluding to stamen filaments (FNA).

So, seeds-wise I knew what to expect when I had the chance to see it for the first time last summer during a trip to BC. What I didn’t expect was how much more handsome this species is in reality, more than pictures can show. It often happens, nothing beats seeing a plant in ‘situ’ among its companions.

Leptarrhena pyrolifolia is a cold hardy, evergreen perennial plant species that inhabiting wet meadows and wet cliffs, usually found around stream banks and seepage areas. It grows in mountaineous areas of AB, BC, NWT and Yukon (Canada) and the US.

The Leatherleaf saxifrage grows from a rhizome and like the common name implies, it has attractive, leathery, shiny and toothed leaves, similar in shape and texture to those of most Pyrola species.
From the compact carpet of glossy leaves, arises a tall flowering stem up to 25-30 cm bearing clusters of white/pinkish flowers in mid-summer. Easy to observe later are the conspicuous red fruits, a very nice addition to the overall aspect of the plant (the red capsules resemble a lot those of Triantha glutinosa, another moisture loving plant).

I wonder why this species is not more widespread into cultivation, especially considering that it has evergreen foliage and it is a very cold hardy species; qualities that those living in cold climates always appreciate in a plant.

Maybe we can change this situation. Why not consider going beyond the more ‘regular’ saxifrages and also grow Leptarrrhena? It will do well in a slightly moist place, in the rockery or elsewhere in the garden, with other moisture loving species like for example: Zigadenus, Lobelia cardinalis, Gentiana andrewsii, Primulas, Silene pusilla, various sedges….. Due to its rhizomatous nature, it can be used as a small scale, evergreen groundcover.

It is a bit late to sow species requiring cold/moist stratification (unless provide stratification in the fridge), but I have it on my list for next year. For now I will give it a try with GA3 as soon as I ‘turn on the lights’ just to see how it goes.

*There are reports of medicinal usage of Leptarrhena among the Aleuts of Alaska and Indigenous People of British Columbia, most commonly applying a poultice of chewed leaves to wounds.
So, keep this in mind, you never know when the leatherleaf saxifrage will come in handy :)