Saxifraga rosacea, Moench

70. S. rosacea Moench View in CoL , Meth. 106 (1794)

(5. decipiens Ehrh. , 5. cespitosa subsp. decipiens (Ehrh.) Engler & Irmscher ).

Very variable in foliage and habit; leafy shoots varying from short and suberect, forming a compact cushion, to procumbent and rather long, forming a loose mat. Leaves 8-25 mm, stalked; lamina rhombic-cuneate, usually 5-lobed, densely hairy to nearly glabrous, but always with some hairs, at least on the petiole; hairs on the leaves normally eglandular and rather long. Flowering stem 6-25 cm, slender, almost leafless, bearing 2-5 flowers. Buds erect. Petals 6-10 x 3-8 mm, pure white.

• N. W. & C. Europe; local. Be fBr Cz Fa Ga Ge Hb Is Po.

In spite of the very disjunct distribution and great variability of this species only one subspecies distinct from the type can be satisfactorily defined; even this occurs in two distinct areas in which it may have arisen independently.