Parnassia
- Grass of Parnassus is also the title of a book of poetry by Andrew Lang.
| Parnassia | |
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| Parnassia palustris | |
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| Genus: | Parnassia
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The genus Parnassia, also known as Grass of Parnassus or bog-stars, are plants in the family Celastraceae. The plants occur in arctic and alpine habitats, as well as in dune systems and fens, swamps, moist woods, and across the Northern Hemisphere. It is actually not a grass, but an herbaceous dicot. The stalk of the plant can reach up to 8 inches (200 mm), the leaves up to 4 inches (100 mm) and the petals can be up to 1.4 inches (36 mm) wide. The flower has five white petals with light green venation. There are five three-pronged sterile stamens, each tipped with drop-like, false nectaries, which (along with the visual cue of veins) attract pollinating flies and bees. The flower blooms in late summer, around July, and into October.
Parnassus flowers are the symbol of the clan MacLea, also known as the highland Livingstone clan, which is said to be the favorite flower of St. Moluag, the Irish missionary whose staff the clan chiefs hold.
Species include:
- P. asarifolia
- P. cabulica
- P. caroliniana
- P. californica
- P. cirrata
- P. fimbriata
- P. glauca
- P. grandifolia
- P. kotzebuei
- P. palustris
References
- ^ "Parnassiaceae". Flora of Pakistan.
- ^ "Parnassia". Flora of China.
Further reading
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