Syn.: Bergenia biflora Moench, nom. illeg., Bergenia bifolia Moench, Bergenia cordifolia (Haw.) Sternb., Saxifraga cordifolia Haw., Saxifraga crassifolia L.
Family: Saxifragaceae Juss.
Distribution: North Asian species – from Russian Altay through Kazakhstan, western China and northern Mongolia to the Russian Far East and Korea. Cultivated for ornament, and locally naturalized (Europe).
Ecology: It grows in forests, on shaded slopes, at elevations from 1100 to 1800 m. It blooms from April to June.
Description: Perennial herb with creeping rhizome, glabrous, 15–30 cm tall. Leaves 15–30 cm, all basal, broadly obovate to oblong, obscurely sinuate-crenate or remotely denticulate, punctulate on both surfaces, shining, petiole sheathing at the base. Flowering stem leafless, with flowers in a dense panicle, flowers pentamerous, petals entire, obovate, 10–12 mm long, bright purplish-pink. Fruit a capsule.
Use: Bergenia crassifolia is cultivated as ornamental plant and for medicinal use.
Note: The genus contains about 10 species, all occur in Asia.
These images were taken in Czechia, Bohemia, Chotuc (April 21, 2014).
