Marsh Grass-of-Parnassus

Description:

The Grass-of-Parnassus, or Bog-Star, is obviously not a grass, but the perennial herbaceous plant, growing from a short underground stem. It forms basal rosette consisting of heart-shaped leaves (photos n° 4 & 5). The flowers are solitary and white, delicately star-shaped, with greenish delicate veins. A number of species belonging to genus Parnassia (fam Celastraceae) are known as Grass of Parnassus or Bog-Stars.

Habitat:

Here, seen in peat-bogs of a small valley in Jura mountain Range, around the lake Lamoura - the highest altitude lake in Jura Mountain range, at 1156m. The valley is surrounded by a coniferous forest, and the majority of it is occupied by grassland, while some of the lake shores are peat-bogs. The site of Lamoura Lake has been designated as a Natura 2000 area, in order to protect this fragile peat-bog ecosystem.