SafePlants

Iowa Golden-Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium iowense)

The Iowa golden-saxifrage (Chrysosplenium iowense) is a flowering plant belonging to the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae). It is also known as Iowa golden carpet.

Considerations for Pets

• While the provided texts do not list any known hazards associated with this plant, it's always wise to prevent pets from ingesting any wild plant material.

Considerations for Children

• While the provided texts do not list any known hazards associated with this plant, it's always wise to prevent children from ingesting any wild plant material.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Chrysosplenium iowense Rydb.
• Family: Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage family)
• Genus: Chrysosplenium L.
• Synonyms: Chrysosplenium alternifolium var. iowense (Rydb.) B. Boivin

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to North America.
• Found in the USA (Iowa, Minnesota).
• Also found in western Canada.
• Grows in algific talus slopes.

Morphological Characteristics

• Flowers are approximately 1/8 inch.
• Flowers have 4 yellowish-green sepals.
• Flowers have 4 to 8 yellow stamens around a green to yellowish-green pistil.
• Stolons are white, 0.3-1.2 mm in diameter, sparsely villous with white hairs.

Ecological Role

• Listed as a red-listed taxon.
• Classified as a globally vulnerable species.
• The plant's presence impacts the conservation status of the Iowa Pleistocene snail (Discus macclintocki).

Quirky Facts

• The Iowa golden-saxifrage shares its habitat with the Iowa Pleistocene snail, a tiny land snail smaller than a shirt button.

Further Information

• Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland.
• US Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Wikimedia Commons: File:Iowa Golden-Saxifrage.jpg.