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September Wildflower Spotlight:
Grass of Parnasus
Grass of Parnasus
Parnassia asarifolia
Although commonly called Grass of Parnassus, this plant is not a grass. It does not even resemble a grass. Early botanists thought it to be a plant in Greece which was described as the grass of Mount Parnassus.
This perennial herb has beautiful white flowers delicately striped with green veins that sit atop long slender stalks. The plant has a rosette of shiny, broad long-stalked basal leaves that grow to 10 inches. It grows in moist sites along stream banks, bogs and wet woods. While its white blooms are reminiscent of spring flowers, it blooms in late summer and early fall.
Medicinal uses; diuretic, sedative, tonic. The dried and powdered plant can be sprinkled onto wounds to aid in the healing process. Distilled water made from the plant is an excellent astringent eye lotion. Other medicinal uses; diuretic, sedative, tonic.