I have selected Vasey's taxonomic classification of Forbe's Saxifrage. This is something of a compromise. Some botanists in Illinois and Indiana (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2002) classify Forbe's Saxifrage as a separate species, Saxifraga forbesii, rather than a variety of Saxifraga pensylvanica (Swamp Saxifrage). Other botanists don't recognize Forbe's Saxifrage at even the varietal level. Generally, Forbe's Saxifrage is supposed to have hairier basal leaves than Swamp Saxifrage, and the petals of its flowers are longer than the sepals. Swamp Saxifrage is supposed to have slightly smaller flowers, where the petals are about the same length as the sepals. Swamp Saxifrage is found primarily in the northern half of Illinois, where it is found in both sunny and shaded wetlands. The only other Saxifrage in Illinois is Saxifraga virginiensis (Early Saxifrage), which has been found only in Hardin County. This latter species is much smaller in size; it prefers drier upland areas and can bloom as early as mid-spring.

This native wildflower consists of a rosette of basal leaves and a flowering stalk about 1-3' tall. Individual basal leaves are up to 9' long and 3' across; they are oblong to ovate-oblong, crenate or smooth along their margins, and medium green. Basal leaves are glabrous to sparsely hairy on their upper surfaces, while their lower surfaces are sparsely to moderately hairy. Generally, young leaves are more hairy than older leaves. The inflorescence consists of a panicle of flowers, which develops from an erect central stalk. This stalk is fairly stout, terete, and densely covered with spreading hairs. The panicle is ellipsoid in shape, ½–1½' long, and about 1/3 as much across when it is fully extended. The branches of the panicle are ascending to spreading and usually pubescent. There is a single linear-lanceolate bract at each major fork of the branches. Depending on the size of the inflorescence, the flowers vary in abundance; they usually bloom at about the same time. Each flower is ¼' across, consisting of 5 narrow white petals, 5 green sepals that are joined together at the base, 10 stamens with white to orange-brown anthers, and 2 prominent pistils that are green and joined together. The sepals are triangular in shape and become recurved when the flowers bloom. The petals are longer than the sepals. The blooming period occurs during the late spring for 2-3 weeks. Each flower is replaced by a pair of beaked follicles; each follicle splits open along one side to release its seeds. The root system consists of a crown of fleshy fibrous roots and rhizomes. Vegetative offsets from the rhizomes are often formed. Cultivation

Forbe's Saxifrage is found in southern Illinois (where it is uncommon) and 3 counties in northern Illinois, where it is rare; it is absent from the remaining areas of the state (see Distribution Map). This map excludes the distribution of the more common typical variety, Saxifraga pensylvanica pensylvanica (Swamp Saxifrage). Habitats are largely restricted to the lower slopes of rocky bluffs (usually north-facing), moist ledges along sandstone ravines, and the lower slopes of sandstone canyons, particularly where some seepage of moisture occurs. These habitats are always found in wooded areas with varying amounts of shade. Forbe's Saxifrage is restricted to high quality natural areas.

Saxifraga pensylvanica fo. purpuripetala (A.M. Johnson) House:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Saxifraga pensylvanica subsp. tenuirostrata G.W. Burns:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Saxifraga pensylvanica subsp. interior G.W. Burns:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Saxifraga pensylvanica var. purpuripetala (A.M. Johnson) Bush:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Saxifraga pensylvanica L.:
Canada (North America)
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Saxifraga forbesii Vasey:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Forbe's Saxifrage is found in southern Illinois (where it is uncommon) and 3 counties in northern Illinois, where it is rare; it is absent from the remaining areas of the state (see Distribution Map). This map excludes the distribution of the more common typical variety, Saxifraga pensylvanica pensylvanica (Swamp Saxifrage). Habitats are largely restricted to the lower slopes of rocky bluffs (usually north-facing), moist ledges along sandstone ravines, and the lower slopes of sandstone canyons, particularly where some seepage of moisture occurs. These habitats are always found in wooded areas with varying amounts of shade. Forbe's Saxifrage is restricted to high quality natural areas.

The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by small bees, wasps, and various flies. Less common visitors include sawflies and beetles. These insects usually suck nectar, although some of the bees also collect pollen, while some flies and beetles prefer to feed on the pollen. These observations are from Graenicher. Photographic Location

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.


No available public DNA sequences.

Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 1
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N2 - Imperiled

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Comments: Highly threatened by land-use conversion, habitat fragmentation, and pollution (sedimentation, runoff of pesticides and herbicides from Christmas tree plantations), and to a lesser degree by forest management practices (Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project 2002).