Grass of Parnassus Wildflowers

WildFlowers Scientific Name:
Parnassia asarifolia

WildFlowers Family Name:
Saxifragaceae - Saxifrage family

WildFlowers Season:
August - September

Wild Flowers Color:
White

Wild Flowers Description:

A rare and exciting flower of late fall is the Grass-of-Parnassus. This plant is in danger of extinction in all or at least significant portions of its range in Alabama Grass-of-Parnassus is not a grass. It does not even resemble grass. It grows as a clump of leaves on long stems, a basal rosette from which arises a scape-like stalk. This stalk terminates in a single flower. About halfway up the stalk is one clasping leaf, producing the effect of a stem growing out of the leaf.

Each clump consists of a network of many white roots. The flower has five sepals, five petals, and five fertile stamens, plus five more sterile stamens.The five beautiful and delicate-looking petals are white with seven to nine green veins. The green pistil has four stigmas. This perennial herb grows in moist deciduous woods and along shaded stream banks. It is a member of the Saxifrage Family.

Source: Grass of Parnassus Wildflowers