The genus Parnassia is sometimes thought to be a member of the saxifrage family due to Cronquist's scheme for classifying flowering plants. However, molecular evidence has confirmed the systems of other taxonomists (see Parnassiaceae): Parnassia is not a saxifrage, but rather a member of its own family. In fact, it is now understood that it is actually in a separate order (a classification grouping that can contain many families) from the saxifrages - the Celastrales instead of the Saxifragales.
Henrietta Chambers of the Oregon Flora Project writes about the changes in classification (along with more information about the genus) in this article about Parnassia in Oregon. The plant photographed here does not grow in Oregon, though - fen grass-of-Parnassus has a distribution within the northeastern states of the US and eastern provinces of Canada.
I Have always become memorized with the beauty of a simple flower
I received the following comment from Pauline:
The Grass of Parnassus is a favorite! I've seen it in Wisconsin and once wrote a poem about it:
Grassy starlet, / directionals etching ivory paths / to your inner blossom;
Enigma of innocence, / inveterate naked lady / stretching sunward from green wraps / shrugged discreetly below.
sir
i saw your nice photograph.
i would like know the adress of world expert of parnassia.
because i have one new species of parnassia. i am from nepal.
could please help me giving the adres of that person.
Hello mani raj,
I don't know of a world expert, but Dr. J.F. Veldkamp" at the National Herbarium of the Netherlands recently published an article about some new Parnassia from northern Sumatra, which suggests he might have a background in the Parnassia of southeast Asia.
I really would like to know the meaning of this flower? I really like it and its the perfect flower for a tattoo=)