Saxifraga paniculata

It is found in alpine habitats, from Central Europe to the Caucasus and further north in Greenland, Iceland and the Scandinavian Peninsula and in areas of North America. In Paggaio, it appears in its central part, in rocky and stony places, at altitudes exceeding 1,600 m asl. The species occurs in quite large numbers in favorable places.

Evergreen, perennial chasmophyte, 5-25 (-30) cm tall. Its stem is hairy, with glands in its upper part. The leaves of the base, placed in a dense rosette, are rough, wide, serrated and at the edges – from the middle and above- have watery stretch marks, from which calcium carbonate is secreted. As calcium carbonate evaporates, white spots remain, while at the bottom of the leaves there are lashes, characteristics that make the plant easily recognizable by its leaves. The flowers are white to whitish-yellow, forming terminal inflorescences. The petals may have red spots. It flowers from July to August. It prefers shady places, in cracks and crevices of rocks. Frost resistant, at temperatures that can reach -15 ° C. It belongs to the plants that scientists call alpine-arctic as their main area of distribution is the Arctic and more southern mountain ranges (mainly the Alps). In order to withstand the stresses that come from the conditions that prevail in its habitat, it has endurance mechanisms such as the photoprotection. The “shrinking” of the leaves of the base (rosette) protects the plant from permanent damage that would be created by low temperature conditions and high radiation in photosynthesis.

Although it occurs at high altitudes and therefore the area in where it is found is relatively limited, the species does not appear to be threatened by any factors. Construction of roads in the sub-alpine zone or other projects that would reduce the rocky places (e.g., wind turbines) could reduce the size of its population.

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It is not subjected to any national or international conservation status.