Saxifraga nathorstii explained

Saxifraga nathorstii, or Nathorst's saxifrage, is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Saxifragaceae. Saxifraga nathorstii is a putative allotetraploid hydrid between S. aizoides and S. oppositifolia,^{[1] [2]} and morphologically intermediate, even in terms of pollen,^[3] between the parent species.

It is native and endemic to Greenland, with a limited distribution in Northeast Greenland.

Description

It is a somewhat densely tufted perennial with 3 – 6 cm high ascending stems. The singular sordid pink to fleshy coloured flowers are 8 – 15 mm wide, have 5 petals, which do not overlap, and 5 sepals 2 – 3 mm long.

Stems with alternate to opposite 4 – 9 mm long lance-shaped leaves with a pointed oval apex.^[4]

Distribution and habitat

Commonly found on moist sandy to gravelly soils, e.g. in riverbeds sand and gravel or desiccated ponds.

Distribution ranges from Danmarks Island (70°30'N) to Jonsbu, Hochstetter Foreland (75°20'N).^{[5] [6]}

Conservation status

Despite is its limited distribution range and endemic status it is not a threatened species.^[7] The Greenland red list 2018 assesses the species to be of Least concern, but a species of national responsibility due to it endemic status. S. nathorstii have not been assessed on the IUCN red list.^[8]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Saxifraga nathorstii - FNA . 2023-01-20 . floranorthamerica.org.
2. Book: Wittrock., Böcher, Tyge . On the origin of Saxifraga nathorsti (Dusén) v. Hayeck . 1941 . Reitzel . 602487813.
3. Ferguson . I. K. . 1972 . Notes on the Pollen Morphology of Saxifraga nathorstii and Its Putative Parents S. aizoides and S. oppositifolia (Saxifragaceae). . Kew Bulletin . 27 . 3 . 475–481 . 10.2307/4114360 . 4114360 . 0075-5974.
4. Book: Rune, Flemming . Wild flowers of Greenland = Grønlands vilde planter. . 2011 . Gyldenlund . 978-87-993172-5-7 . 1st . Hillerød . 769278518.
5. Book: Halliday, Geoffrey . A flora of the East Greenland Central Fjord region, 70°N-77°N . 2019 . R. W. M. Corner . 978-0-9539718-7-9 . [Brough, Cumbria, UK] . 1099793607.
6. Book: Bay, Christian . A phytogeographical study of the vascular plants of northern Greenland - north of 74o northern latitude . 1992 . Kommissionen for videnskabelige undersøgelser i Grønland . 87-503-9972-1 . 473949747.
7. Book: Boertmann . David . Grønlands Rødliste 2018 – Fortegnelse over grønlandske dyr og planters trusselstatus . Bay . Christian . Aarhus Universitet, Nationalt Center for Energi og Miljø (DCE) og Grønlands Naturinstitut.
8. Web site: IUCN red list . IUCN red list.