Marsh Grass-of-Parnassus/Bog star

Description:

The flowering stem of the striking Marsh Grass-of-Parnassus (Bog Star) is terminated by a single, creamy white flower with 5 conspicuously veined petals. Alternating with the 5 stamens are modified stamens that function to help attract pollinators, divided about halfway to the base into 9 or more distinct filaments.

Habitat:

Spotted in a shady area at the edge of a mountain meadow, alt. 1700 m ASL. Found mostly in high mountain meadows, but also in marshy places, on the banks of streams, in mountain bogs. Like other species of Parnassia, this species frequently occurs in more alkaline habitats, such as meadows in damp calcareous slopes. Often found in patches. Here only 3 plants were spotted together.

Notes:

The stem is about 5-40 cm long, and the petals are about 8-13 mm long. Except for a single stem leaf, all the heart-shaped leaves of this plant are produced in a basal rosette (picture 4). In Switzerland it is the only representative of the genus Parnassia. Flowers in July and August. For a previous spotting of this plant see: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/690...