Strawberry Saxifrage, Creeping Saxifrage, Strawberry Geranium, Strawberry Begonia

Saxifraga stolonifera

Physical Characteristics

Saxifraga stolonifera is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - W. China, Japan. Naturalized in C. and S. Europe[50].

Habitats

Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Stem Edible Uses: Leaves - raw or cooked[105, 177]. Relished in Japan when parboiled or fried and used in salads[183]. Flowering stem - said to be tasty when salted[183].

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Antiphlogistic Depurative Febrifuge Antibacterial, antiphlogistic[174]. There are growth-promoting substances in the leaves[174]. The whole plant is depurative, febrifuge and suppurative[147, 218]. Its use promotes the drainage of pus[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of boils and abscesses, poisonous snakebites, otitis media, acute attacks of convulsions and haematemesis[147]. The leaf juice is applied to aching ears, abscesses and inflammations[218].

Known Hazards

None known