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Parnassia Linnaeus. Common name: Grass-of-Parnassus, Parnassia.

Key to Parnassia

A genus of 15-70 species, herbs, primarily of arctic and north temperate areas. Our species (especially Parnassia caroliniana) are among the most southerly of the genus in distribution. Parnassia (all species) are among the most beautiful of our native plants. From a distance the white flowers are attractive but not extraordinary; when observed closely, though, the delicate tracery of the green veins on the waxy white petals is astonishing.

ID notes: The five staminodia are (in our species) deeply three-lobed to the base, thus appearing as 15.

References: Alexander (1934a); Alexander (1934b); Ball (2016) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2016); Gastony & Soltis (1977); Godfrey & Wooten (1981); Simmons In Kubitzki et al. (2004); Spongberg (1972). Show full citations.

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Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend. Data for arrows not developed for genera and families which may have species only occurring outside the flora area.

image of plant© Will Stuart | Parnassia asarifolia | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Edwin Bridges | Parnassia asarifolia | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Parnassia asarifolia | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Cressler: Parnassia caroliniana, Shoestring Prairie, Green Swamp, Green Swamp Ecological Preserve, Brunswick County, North Carolina 2 by Alan Cressler | Parnassia caroliniana source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson | Parnassia glauca source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Richard & Teresa Ware | Parnassia grandifolia CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Cressler: parnassia grandifolia, brasstown valley seeps, union county, georgia 1 by Alan Cressler | Parnassia grandifolia source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Parnassia glauca | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Cressler: Parnassia caroliniana, Shoestring Prairie, Green Swamp, Green Swamp Ecological Preserve, Brunswick County, North Carolina 4 by Alan Cressler | Parnassia caroliniana source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Cressler: Parnassia grandifolia, Liberty County, Florida 4 by Alan Cressler | Parnassia grandifolia source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Richard & Teresa Ware | Parnassia asarifolia CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷

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