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Kotzebue's grass-of-parnassus

kidneyleaf grass of parnassus

Habit Herbs with caudices. Herbs with caudices.
Stems

2–15(–25) cm.

18–50 cm.

Leaves

basal in rosettes;

petiole 0.2–1(–2) cm;

blade (of larger leaves) deltate-ovate to rhombic-ovate 3.5–12(–30) × 4–10(–25) mm, base cordate to cuneate, apex acute to obtuse;

cauline on proximal 1/2 of stem or absent.

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 spreading in fruit, oblong-lanceolate to oblanceolate, 4–8 mm, margins not hyaline, entire, apex obtuse;

petals usually 3-veined, oblong to elliptic, 3–7 × 2–3 mm, length 0.8–1.3 times sepals, base rounded or cuneate, margins entire;

stamens 3–4.5 mm;

anthers 0.7–1 mm;

staminodes obovate, unlobed or divided distally into 3–5 gland-tipped filaments, 1.5–3 mm, shorter than stamens, apical glands suborbicular, 0.1–0.2 mm;

ovary green.

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

6–12 mm.

12 mm.

2n

= 18, 36.

= 32.

Parnassia kotzebuei

Parnassia asarifolia

Phenology Flowering summer. Flowering summer–early fall.
Habitat Moist or seasonally dry shores, stream banks, riverbanks, meadows, tundra, seepage areas, talus, snowbeds, wet calcareous rocky places, open conifer forests. Fens, wet woods, rocky banks, often on acidic soils.
Elevation 0–3800 m. (0–12500 ft.) 200–1500 m. (700–4900 ft.)
Distribution
from FNA
AK; CO; ID; MT; NV; WA; WY; AB; BC; MB; NL; NT; NU; ON; QC; SK; YT; Greenland; ne Asia
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[BONAP county map]
from FNA
AL; AR; GA; KY; MD; NC; SC; TN; TX; VA; WV
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[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Variety pumila was described as endemic to the western mountains, but identical plants occur throughout much of the range of the species.

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

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. 115. FNA vol. 12, p. 116.
Parent taxa Celastraceae > Parnassia Celastraceae > Parnassia
Sibling taxa
P. asarifolia, P. caroliniana, P. cirrata, P. fimbriata, P. glauca, P. grandifolia, P. palustris, P. parviflora
P. caroliniana, P. cirrata, P. fimbriata, P. glauca, P. grandifolia, P. kotzebuei, P. palustris, P. parviflora
Synonyms P. kotzebuei var. pumila
Name authority Chamisso ex Sprengel: Syst. Veg. 1: 951. (1824) Ventenat: Jard. Malmaison 1: plate 39. (1804)
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