The compact growth habit protects the plant against evaporation and mechanical abrasion by wind-driven sand or snow. The foliage is low and crowded, and living parts don't project very high above the general surface. Once the snow cover melts, flowering occurs in about 5-16 days. The purple flowers are attractive to bumblebees, moths and butterflies in the early part of the flowering season or to small flies in the later part of the season. However, in the harsh cold arctic or alpine climate, insect pollinators may be relatively uncommon or, on cold days, inactive.
Purple saxifrage seems to have developed a mechanism to increase the chances of cross-pollination.
However, in purple saxifrage, self-pollination produces much fewer seeds, of which many are infertile. Most seeds are not released from the seed capsule until some snow covers the ground. In this way wind can carry the seeds farther away over the smooth frozen surface. Mountain and tundra areas are very sensitive to trampling, so hikers should stay on trails to protect these beautiful and sensitive plants. If the plant is growing on limestone rock, watch for flecks of calcium carbonate on the leaf tips.