About

Megasea is a genus in the family Saxifragaceae; plants in this group typically form low rosettes of foliage with flowers raised on slender, leafless stalks. Leaves often show incised margins and in related plants may be succulent or hairy. Flowers characteristically have five petals and five sepals and are borne above the leaves on naked stems.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Saxifraga

About the genus

Saxifraga is the largest genus in the family Saxifragaceae, containing about 473 species of holarctic perennial plants, known as saxifrages or rockfoils. The Latin word saxifraga means literally "stone-breaker", from Latin saxum + frangere.

In the garden

Megasea belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. Within this family, many species grow as small herbaceous perennials that keep their foliage close to the ground in a rosette and send flowering stems up clear of the leaves. Floral structure commonly includes five petals and five sepals, and flowers are presented on unbranched stalks above the foliage. The family has a long history of being called saxifrages or rockfoils; the Latin root literally refers to stone-breaking and reflects an association with rocky, shallow-soil habitats. Grow Megasea in a sharply drained situation where water will not sit around the roots: many saxifrage-type plants have leaves that reduce evaporation, a trait suited to lean, well-drained mixes and crevices. A position with some shelter from driving winter wet is sensible to prevent crown rot. In cultivation, plants suit rock gardens, crevice plantings, alpine troughs or the front of a sunny or partially shaded border where the low rosette habit can be seen. Expect the small, often pale five-petalled flowers to be shown above the rosette on narrow stalks; that contrast between compact foliage and upright flower stems is a consistent feature to look for when selecting plants for gravel or stone settings.