Foliar crystals in Saxifraga and segregate genera (Saxifragaceae)

In the genera Saxifraga, Saxifragodes, Saxifragella, Saxifragopsis and Zahlbrucknera foliar crystals were found to be present only in Saxifragodes and Saxifraga sections Micranthes and Irregulares . The crystals occur as stellate druses, except in Saxifraga nipponica and S. cortusifolia (section Irregulares ) where they occur as single needles. This finding indicates a close relationship between these two sections of Saxifraga . The monotypic Saxifragodes , from southern South America, does not appear to be related to Andean species of Saxifraga , which lack crystals, but rather to species of Saxifraga section Micranthes in North America. The taxonomic affinities of five species in section Micranthes that lack crystals are discussed.