Heuchera maxima

Heuchera maxima
File:Heuchera maxima 4.jpg
Conservation status
Imperiled (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Saxifragales
Family:	Saxifragaceae
Genus:	Heuchera
Species:	H. maxima
Binomial name
Heuchera maxima Greene

Heuchera maxima is a species of flowering plant in the saxifrage family, known by the common names island alum root, Channel Islands coral bells, and Jill of the rocks.

It is endemic to the four northern Channel Islands of California, within Channel Islands National Park. It grows on canyon cliffs in coastal sage scrub habitats.

Description

Heuchera maxima is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing a broad patch of large, rounded, multilobed green leaves with long petioles and a fringe of hairs along the edges. It grows 1–3 feet (30–91 cm) in height.

It produces an erect inflorescence up to 60 centimetres (24 in) tall, with many clusters of hairy, glandular flowers. Each flower is rounded with fleshy white or pink lobes and tiny petals curling away from the center. The protruding stamens are tipped with large anthers.

Cultivation

Heuchera maxima is also cultivated as an ornamental plant for traditional, drought tolerant, native plant, and wildlife gardens. It prefers part shade, including as a groundcover in dry shade conditions under oaks.

See also

• Flora of the Channel Islands of California
• List of California native plants

External links

• Jepson Manual Treatment — Heuchera maxima
• USDA Plants Profile: Heuchera maxima (island alum root)
• Heuchera maxima — U.C. Photo gallery