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Appalachian Grass-of-Parnassus Parnassia asarifolia

Phonetic Spelling
par-NASS-ee-uh as-air-ee-FOH-lee-uh
Description

Grass-of-Parnassus is a native perennial wildflower found in the mountains of eastern USA including NC, in bogs, seeps, brookbanks. In general, it is found in more acidic habitats than P. grandifloria. It grows in boggy or swampy areas in full sun to partial shade up to 1 foot tall. The 1 inch wide 5-petaled flowers are a lovely white with green veins and occur late summer into fall.

This plant prefers sandy to loam acidic soils in wet sites. It is important not to let it dry out in the summer. Use along streams or ponds and in boggy areas.

Site: Bogs, seepage slopes, stream banks

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#NC native#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#Coastal OBL#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#Audubon#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#NC native#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#Coastal OBL#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#Audubon#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Parnassia
    Species:
    asarifolia
    Family:
    Celastraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern USA
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , GA , KY , MD , NC , TN , TX , VA , WV
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are available September-November.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    1 in. white flower with five clawed petals; prominent green veins; five stamens alternate with petals. Flowers bloom July-October.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Rosette of 4 inch kidney-shaped long-stalked basal leaves; single clasping leaf on the round stem
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Description:
    Round green stem
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Attracts:
    Songbirds