Island alum root (Heuchera maxima) is a perennial flowering plant in the saxifrage family. In gardens it is valued as a groundcover for both its foliage and its flowers that hummingbirds love. The rounded green leaves grow in a broad patch and remain low. In winter to spring, tiny white-pink flowers bloom in frothy clusters towards the top of tall erect stems that rise above the leaves and may reach to about 2 feet.
This plant performs best in coastal gardens, where it can take full sun to part shade. In inland gardens, it may require full shade and additional water. It looks good in woodland gardens. It is adaptable to different types of soil but prefers sandy/rocky soil with good drainage.
In the wild, this plant is endemic to three of the eight Channel Islands of California, where it grows on cliffs and canyon walls. It is rare due to its limited distribution.