| saxifrage | <botany> Any plant of the genus Saxifraga, mostly perennial herbs growing in crevices of rocks in mountainous regions. Burnet saxifrage, a European umbelliferous plant (Pimpinella Saxifraga). Golden saxifrage, a low half-sacculent herb (Chrysosplenium oppositifolium) growing in rivulets in Europe; also, C. Americanum, common in the United States. See also under Golden. Meadow saxifrage, or Pepper saxifrage. See Meadow. Origin: L. Saxifraga, from saxifragus stone-breaking; saxum rock + frangere to break: cf. F. Saxifrage. See Fracture, and cf. Sassafras, Saxon. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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