This alpine will grow fairly low down at 1,000 feet or so. In Cwm Idwal, North Wales which is my nearest site, I counted six rosettes with one even in flower in May 2004 in a healthy condition and two which were shrivelling up in the drought. It usually flowers in late summer.

The LHS one above was at the rear of the Ben Lawers Corrie where we found at least twelve flowering plants and an equal number of non flowering rosettes. The rosette of this plant is quite distinct and excellent for identification. It has mid green leaves with curled edges but a deep purple underside.

Apart from Snowdonia in Wales Saxifraga nivalis plant is mostly found in the Scottish hills. There a very few records from northern England and there is one record from Ireland

Saxifraga nivalis Alpine Saxifrage Cwm Idwal, North Wales 25th July 2002 Previous   Next	Saxifraga nivalis Alpine Saxifrage Cwm Idwal, North Wales 7th June 2005 Previous   Next
Saxifraga nivalis Alpine Saxifrage flower	Saxifraga nivalis Alpine Saxifrage leaf rosette

LHS: Ben Lawers Scotland 11th July 2005 RHS: Cwm Idwal, North Wales 25th July 2002

Added on February 3rd 2005, amended again 15th July 2005, updated 29th January 2012