Ontario Wildflowers website

Grass-of-Parnassus
Parnassia glauca

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca) Other common names: American Grass-of-Parnassus, Blue-green Grass-of-Parnassus, Fen Grass-of-Parnassus

Family: Bittersweet Family (Celastraceae), (Saxifrage Family (Saxifragaceae), Grass-of-Parnassus Family (Parnassiaceae))

Group: Grass of Parnassus

Distinctive features: 3 filaments/segments.

Similar species:
  •   Northern Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia palustris)


Flowers: Summer;  White;  5 parts (petals)

Leaves: Alternate, Simple, Entire

Habitat: Wet Areas

Grows in Sun/Shade: Sun

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 198   

Native/Non-native: Native

Photography notes: Grass-of-Parnassus flowers are exceedingly photogenic.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: glauca: whitened, glaucous


Photographs: 203 photographs available, of which 11 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

Grass-of-Parnassus has pretty, white flowers.

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

A spider lies in wait for unwary visiting insects.

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

Grass-of-Parnassus will often grow in clumps in wet habitats.

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

Flower bud.

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

Flower just opening.

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

Seed capsules forming.

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

A nice clump of plants.

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

Grass-of-Parnassus showing its leaves, growing in a damp asndy location.


Range map for Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)