Family: Saxifragaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Strawberry saxifrage (Saxifraga stolonifera) is a low-growing perennial plant native to temperate and subtropical forests of East Nepal through central and southern China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. It forms attractive mats of rounded, softly textured leaves that are often green with silvery veining and reddish undersides. The plant spreads by slender creeping runners (stolons), which readily root and form new plantlets, giving it a spreading groundcover habit. In late spring to summer, it produces delicate, airy sprays of small white flowers with two longer lower petals, sometimes compared to tiny strawberry blossoms. It is widely used as an ornamental shade plant in gardens, valued for its attractive foliage and ability to thrive in moist, shaded landscapes and containers.

Risks & Threats:
Saxifraga stolonifera is considered low risk and is not currently known to be invasive or naturalized in Hawaiʻi. While it does spread by stolons and can slowly expand in favorable conditions, it generally remains well-behaved and manageable in cultivated settings. It prefers cool, moist environments and is unlikely to aggressively compete with native Hawaiian ecosystems, especially in lowland tropical conditions where heat and drought limit its vigor. However, as with any introduced ornamental, it should still be monitored when planted in suitable microclimates such as higher elevation gardens or shaded, irrigated landscapes. Choosing responsible planting locations and avoiding disposal into natural areas will help ensure it remains a safe and attractive addition to cultivated plantings.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in Europe and California
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Tolerates wide range of soil types and pH
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Spreads vegetatively by runners
  
• Seed dispersal possible via mud (unintentional)
  
• Widely cultivated and intentionally spread by people
  
• Produces many small seeds

Low Risk Traits:

• Not a weed (agricultural, environmental, or congeneric)
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Edible and non-toxic to humans and animals
  
• No dense thicket formation or fire hazard
  
• No bird or animal dispersal (dry capsules)
  
• Not a produce contaminant