Golden Saxifrage, scientific name Chrysosplenium oppositifolia should not to be confused with Purple Saxifrage, whose latin name is Saxifraga oppositifolium even although both are members of the Saxifrage Family.

Easily confused with : Golden-saxifrage (Alternate-leaved). With the opposite leaved variety shown here, the leaves are opposite each other as opposed to alternate up the stem, and the stems are square whereas on the alternate-leaved variety they are triangular. Also, the leaves on the Alternate Leaved variety are glossier, are on longer stalks and have nicks on the periphery about a quarter of the diameter, whereas on the oppositely leaved variety shown here the leaves are wavy edged.

Distinguishing Feature: The stems are square (or round or multi-faceted); the leaf margins slightly wavy toothed.

Both varieties of Golden-saxifrage grow in damp, shady places or boggy woods near wet flushes or shallow springs, beside streams or on wet mountain ledges. Both have small yellowish flowers scarcely of differing colour to the leaves, opening February until July.

Whereas this Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage flowers from February to June, Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage has a much shorter flowering period: just April to May.