Perennial of the Saxifragaceae family, belonging to the Saxifraga section, widely spread in the mountain ranges of Central and Southern Europe, from the Pyrenees to the Alps and the Apennines, on varied substrates, calcareous or siliceous depending on the subspecies.
It occupies rocky areas, scree, alpine meadows and rock crevices, generally between 1,500 and 3,000 meters. It is a polymorphic species, with several subspecies whose delimitation remains debated according to reference floras.
It forms dense and tight cushions of small rosettes with deeply trilobed to multifid leaves, bright green, slightly glandular and aromatic when crushed. The slender flowering stems reach 5 to 15 cm and bear cymes of white to cream flowers, with five rounded petals and a yellowish center, produced abundantly above the foliage.
In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from June to August depending on the altitude. In cultivation, it generally blooms from May to July.
It adapts to varied, well-drained substrates, in sunny to semi-shaded exposure. Hardy and relatively easy, it is suitable for rock gardens, walls, and alpine gardens, where its generously flowered cushions quickly form attractive carpets.