The word “saxifrage” is rooted in the latin terms saxum (rock) and grangere (to break). So saxifrage is known as the rock-breaker. The saxifrage family consists of over six hundred species, but they are most known for their resilience in the arctic. Their small flowers can grow close to their leaf clusters or up to three feet above them, depending on the species. Their stiff stems help withstand snow and high winds as they cling to their rocky hosts. They have hairy stalks that prevent ground insects like ants from climbing to get to their flower’s nectar. They primarily use airborne pollinators, so having an ant fiddling with the system doesn’t cause any good.

         Saxifrages are perennials and retain their foliage through the seasons; in the winter their leaves turn red due to protective anthocyanin production, and they slowly turn green again as spring rolls around

Saxifrage was said to treat kidney stones by Dioscorides, a greek physician in the first century CE, who published a book of herbal medicines across the Roman Empire. Since they look like they’re breaking the stones from which they’re sprouting, people believed they too could break kidney stones. Saxifrage shows up in the Doctrine of Signatures, a fascinating book written in the early 16th century about plants which resembled organs. It was believed that God placed plants on earth for man’s use, and to help us identify them, he made each plant resemble the body part it heals.

         Since then, other healers in the 17th century continued to use saxifrage to heal bladder and kidney related problems, but there’s no evidence that it actually does anything for our body.  But! You can cook with it to get lots of vitamins and minerals.

Saxifrage is edible! The petals are initially bitter, but are meant to turn sweet after a couple of seconds, and you can consume their shoots and leaves.  The more commonly foraged species, swamp saxifrage, grows in wet meadows and moist woods in the Northeaster US and Canada. Alan Bergo, a chef and forager, uses swamp saxifrage in his cooking. You can checkout his recipe and foraging instructions here!