Authors: Bertol.
An Englera type of Porophyllum saxifrage. Forms huddled groups of 1.5-2cm diameter, rather flat rosettes of which the glaucous, spathulate leaves are 7-10mm long. Flowering stems unbranched, 7-10cm tall, carrying racemes of six to fifteen rosy-purple bell-like flowers, petals 2-3mm long, barely visible. Stem, stem leaves and calyces thickly covered with glandular hairs giving a rich rosy-purple appearance to the plant. Not difficult to grow in the alpine house. Comes readily from seed which is always set in abundance. Italy in the Abruzzi mountains and central Apennines.
Porphyrion (Kabschia and Engleria) hybrids. Hybrids whose parentages are known are described under their appropriate hybrid designations e.g. S. X anglica 'Cranbourne'. However, there are a number of hybrids whose parents are unknown and some of the more important of these are listed here: 'Appleblossom'; forms a slightly domed plant of fairly large rosettes. Leaves spathulate-linear, sharply pointed, glaucous-green. Flowering stems 3-6cm high bearing three to nine flowers, petals 6-8mm long, widely obovate, deep pink nearest the base, white elsewhere, later turning pale pink. A Gould hybrid of distinctive appearance. 'Cambridge Seedling'; possibly a hybrid of S. marginata and S. X anglica. Forms a small, compact plant. Leaves linear, sharply pointed, glossy-green. Flowering stems l-3cm high bearing one to three pale lilac-pinkish flowers which fade, with a bright red nectary ring, petals 8-12mm long. 'Camyra'; makes a compact dome of medium-sized rosettes. Leaves spathulate-linear, shortly pointed, light green. Flowering stems 2-4.5cm tall bearing one to four pinkish-yellow flowers fading to yellow, petals 7-11mm long. An unusual and attractively coloured flower. 'Dwight Ripley'; probably a hybrid of S. lilacina and an unknown pollen parent. Forms small, irregular masses of rosettes. Leaves linear, green to slightly glaucous. Flowering stems 2-2.5cm high bearing large, solitary deep-rose flowers, petals 1-1.2cm long. A Lincoln Foster hybrid, charming at its best but not the most robust of growers. 'Edgar Irmscher'; distributed in Britain as 'Boughton Orange'. Forms broad, compact cushions of silvery rosettes, leaves spathulate-linear, light silvery glaucous green. Flowering stems 6-14cm tall bearing five to twelve orange-yellow flowers with distinct brown veins, petals 5-7mm long. A very worthwhile hybrid with its unusually coloured flowers and reliable, strong growth. 'Golden Findling'; a neat little plant possibly of the S. borisii group and approaching 'Mona Lisa' in appearance. Leaves spathulatelinear, dark green. Flowering stems 3-6cm high bearing five to fifteen light yellow flowers, petals 7-9mm long. 'Kath Dryden'; said to be a hybrid of S. lilacina with an unknown pollen parent. Makes a strong growing, flattish dome of medium-sized rosettes. Leaves oblong, glaucous-green. Flowering stems l-3cm tall bearing one or two pale lilac-pink flowers, petals 1-1.2cm long. A robust grower and Lincoln Foster hybrid. 'Nancye'; a hybrid of S. cinerea and almost certainly S. X anglica 'Winifred'; forms cushions of stiff, open rosettes. Leaves broadly spathulate-acute, dark green, apices recurved, with eleven to thirteen lime pores, only slightly encrusted. Flowering stems 2-5cm tall, bearing one to four deep cerise-pink flowers later fading to pale lilac-pink, petals 1cm long. Superficially resembles S. cinerea except for the flower colour. An attractive plant and the first hybrid raised from S. cinerea. 'Opalescent'; possibly a hybrid of S. lilacina with an unknown pollen parent. Forms a tight cushion of fairly small rosettes. Leaves linear, glaucous green. Flowering stems 4-5cm high bearing one to two cup-shaped, light pinkish-beige flowers turning yellow, petals 6-8.5mm long. The somewhat narrow petals give the flower a starry look but their colour is unusual and attractive. Lincoln Foster hybrid. 'Peach Blossom'; a hybrid of S. 'Alpenglow' and probably S. burseriana. Forms a compact cushion of fairly small rosettes. Leaves lanceolate glaucous. Flowering stems l-4cm high bearing one to three pale creamy-pink flowers, petals broad, often overlapping, 8-10mm long. A Lincoln Foster hybrid.
