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kidneyleaf grass of parnassus

Habit Herbs with caudices.
Stems

18–50 cm.

Leaves

basal in rosettes;

petiole 6–17 cm;

blade (of larger leaves) reniform to reniform-orbiculate, 20–60 × 25–100 mm, mostly wider than long, base cordate, apex rounded;

cauline on proximal 1/2 to middle of stem or absent.

Flowers

sepals reflexed in fruit, oblong to obovate, 2.5–6.5 mm, margins hyaline, 0.2–0.4 mm wide, entire, apex rounded;

petals 11–18-veined, ovate-elliptic, 10–18 × 7–11 mm, length 2–3 times sepals, base abruptly contracted to 2–3.5 mm claw, margins entire or undulate;

stamens 8.5–11.5 mm;

anthers 2.2–3.2 mm;

staminodes 3-fid almost to base, gland-tipped, 5–9 mm, shorter than stamens, apical glands ovoid-conical, 0.5–0.9 mm;

ovary green.

Capsules

12 mm.

2n

= 32.

Parnassia asarifolia

Phenology Flowering summer–early fall.
Habitat Fens, wet woods, rocky banks, often on acidic soils.
Elevation 200–1500 m. (700–4900 ft.)
Distribution
from FNA
AL; AR; GA; KY; MD; NC; SC; TN; TX; VA; WV
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Parnassia asarifolia is considered endangered in Kentucky and Maryland. It is uncommon throughout its range.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 12, p. 116.
Parent taxa Celastraceae > Parnassia
Sibling taxa
P. caroliniana, P. cirrata, P. fimbriata, P. glauca, P. grandifolia, P. kotzebuei, P. palustris, P. parviflora
Name authority Ventenat: Jard. Malmaison 1: plate 39. (1804)
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