Boykinia

Boykinia is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants in the family Saxifragaceae. The genus is native to Asia, with species found in China, Japan, Korea, and the Himalayas. Boykinia species are typically found in moist, shady environments, such as forests, stream banks, and mossy rocks. They are characterized by their basal rosettes of leaves and their delicate, often white or pink, flowers borne on slender stalks.

The leaves of Boykinia are usually palmately lobed or divided, with serrated margins. The inflorescences are typically panicles or racemes, bearing small, five-petaled flowers. While some species are cultivated for their ornamental value, Boykinia is not widely known in the horticultural trade.

Several species are recognized within the genus Boykinia. Boykinia jamesii, for example, is found in the Himalayas and has distinctive deeply lobed leaves. Boykinia racemosa, native to China, has broader, less divided leaves and produces its flowers in racemes. The genus is named after Francis Boykin, a botanist who collected specimens in Asia. Research into the phylogenetic relationships of Boykinia continues to refine its placement within the Saxifragaceae family.