Burnet-saxifrage - Pimpinella saxifraga

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Burnet-saxifrage - Pimpinella saxifraga
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

Burnet-saxifrage has white or pinkish flowers held in loose terminal clusters. Though the flowers are typical of the umbellifer family, this plant lacks bracts, and has unusual, pinnately-toothed basal leaves, very like those of salad burnet - hence the name. It is not a true saxifrage, but as this word means 'stone-breaker', the name may commemorate the burnet saxifrage's habitat of dry, stony ground. It needs an open, sunny position in well-drained lime-rich soil in a border or wildflower meadow.

Like many other umbellifers, this species is attractive to the caterpillars of various moths. The flowers are also frequented by a number of species of fly.

Animals

Flies, Moths

Foliage	Green
Flower	White, July to August
Moisture	(Dry)
Sunlight	(Full sun)
Origin	Native