Taxonomic information
Common Name: Yellow Marsh Saxifrage
Latin Name: Saxifaga hirculus
Family: Saxifragaceae
Description
Marsh Saxifrage.Photograph by Cedric Abbott.
The yellow marsh saxifrage is a perennial species which grows to approximately 15 to 20cm high with small leaves and large yellow flowers that are present from July to September. It occurs in base-rich flushes and is known from 20 sites in the country with the single site in the Yorkshire Dales National Park at the southern edge of the British range. This species continues to be on the UK list of priority species for biodiversity action.
Yellow marsh saxifrage has some very specific habitat requirements including sufficient bare ground for seedlings to establish. This species cannot tolerant heavy grazing regimes but may be lost if more dominant grass species are allowed to encroach.
The management of the Mallerstang-Swaledale Head Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the one site in the Yorkshire Dales where this species is found, should ensure that the yellow marsh saxifrage continues to thrive in this part of the country.
Links:
Yellow Marsh Saxifrage Local Species Action Plan
Websites:
