Saxifraga giraldiana Engl.

Saxifraga giraldiana and S. stellariifolia are doubtfully distinct. The distinction based on the hairiness of the sepals (glandular pilose abaxially in S. giraldiana vs. glabrous abaxially in S. stellariifolia) is insufficient because certain collections of S. giraldiana have some glabrous sepals and others have sepals with only one or two hairs.

Herbs perennial, cespitose, 8.5-21.5 cm tall. Stem brown crisped villous. Basal and proximal cauline leaves deciduous at anthesis; distal cauline leaves with petiole 2.5-12 mm, brown glandular villous at margin, hairs denser near base; leaf blade ovate or broadly so to linear-oblong, 5-13 × 2-11.5 mm, both surfaces glabrous or ± glandular pilose, base rounded to cuneate, margin sparsely crisped glandular villous, apex acute. Flower solitary, or cyme corymbose, 1.2-1.7 cm, and 2-6-flowered; pedicels 3-16 mm, densely brown pubescent. Sepals spreading at anthesis, reflexed in fruit, ovate to narrowly so, 2.5-3.6 × 1-2 mm, abaxially and marginally ± glandular pilose, veins 3-5, not confluent at apex, apex obtuse. Petals yellow, brown spotted, ovate or elliptic to oblong, 5.6-7.1 × 3-3.8 mm, (2-)4-6-callose, 3-5(-7)-veined, base contracted into a claw 0.6-1.2 mm, apex obtuse or acute. Stamens 4.5-5.5 mm. Ovary superior, ellipsoid to ovoid, 2.6-4 mm; styles 1.2-1.3 mm. Fl. and fr. Jul-Oct.

W Hubei (Badong Xian, Shennongjia Linqu), S Shaanxi (Guangtou Shan, Taibai Shan), C Sichuan (Emei Shan, Li Xian, Maowen Qiang Zu Zizhixian), NE Yunnan (Qiaojia Xian).

* Forests, alpine meadows, rock crevices; 1000-4000 m.

Hirculus giraldianus (Engler) Losinskaja; Saxifraga giraldiana var. biondiana Engler; S. giraldiana var. hupehensis Engler; S. hastigera H. Léveillé.