Family: Celastraceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 273 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Parnassia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere
Description
The Bog Star, scientifically known as Parnassia palustris, is an exquisite perennial plant distinguished by its unique adaptations and striking appearance. Described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this delicate yet resilient species flourishes in the subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its name hints at its preferred habitat: marshy, nutrient-poor environments where few other plants thrive as proficiently.
Belonging to the Celastraceae family, the Bog Star captivates with its intricate, star-shaped white flowers that elegantly dot the landscape. Each flower is characterized by a series of five white petals, often adorned with fine, green veins that seemingly radiate from the center, enhancing its star-like quality. The plant’s foliage is equally fascinating, sporting heart-shaped leaves that provide a vibrant green contrast to the dainty white blossoms.
The beauty of Parnassia palustris is matched by its ecological importance. It thrives in wet meadows, bogs, and along streams, playing a vital role in these ecosystems. It not only helps stabilize the soil with its fibrous root system but also supports a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which are drawn to its nectar-rich flowers.
Adapted to cool climates, the Bog Star demonstrates remarkable resilience. It can withstand the harsh conditions of the subarctic region and the varied climates of temperate zones. This adaptability is indicative of its evolutionary success and its significant role in the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits.
In summary, Parnassia palustris, or the Bog Star, is a botanical gem of the Celastraceae family. Its presence in the subarctic and temperate Northern Hemisphere highlights its remarkable adaptability and ecological significance. The plant’s distinctive star-shaped flowers and supportive role in its native habitats make it a subject of interest for botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.
Common Names
Eng: alaska grass of parnassus, bog star, grass-of-parnassus, marsh grass of parnassus, marsh grass-of-parnassus, marsh parnassia, northern grass of parnassus, northern grass-of-parnassus, grass of parnassus, meadow grass-of-parnassus
Dan: almindelig leverurt, leverurt
Nor: mariae sengebaand, høstsimmer
Deu: sumpf-herzblatt
Nno: jåblom, fjelljåblom, stor jåblom
Nob: jåblom, fjelljåblom, stor jåblom
Nld: parnassia
Fra: parnassie des marais, parnassie, parnassie palustre
Swe: slåtterblomma, vilukko
Fin: vilukko
Sme: suotnjočalbmi, beaivečalbmi, vilgesbeaivečalbmi
Cym: brial, brial y gors, carped y duwiau
Zho: mei hua cao
Ita: parnassia
Gla: fionnscoth
Kat: პარნასურა
En: Bog star, Marsh parnassia, Northern grass-of-Parnassus, Grass-of-Parnassus, Alaska grass of Parnassus, Marsh grass of Parnassus, Marsh grass-of-Parnassus, Northern grass of Parnassus, Grass of Parnassus, Meadow grass-of-Parnassus, Marsh-grass of Parnassus
Ca: Fetgera blanca
Zh: Mei hua cao
Cs: Tolije bahenní
Da: Almindelig leverurt, Leverurt
Nl: Parnassia
Fi: Vilukko
Fr: Parnassie des marais, Parnassie, Parnassie palustre, Fleur du Parnasse, Hépatique blanche, Herbe du Parnasse
Ka: Პარნასურა
De: Sumpf-Herzblatt, Studentenröschen
It: Parnassia
Se: Suotnjočalbmi, Beaivečalbmi, Vilgesbeaivečalbmi
No: Mariae sengebaand, Høstsimmer
Nb: Jåblom, Fjelljåblom, Stor jåblom
Nn: Jåblom, Fjelljåblom, Stor jåblom
Gd: Fionnscoth
Sk: Bielokvet močiarny
Es: Hepática blanca
Sv: Slåtterblomma, Vilukko
Cy: Brial, Brial y Gors, Carped y Duwiau
: Marsh grass of parnassus
Synonyms
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Alaska (native)
- Albania (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Aleutian Is. (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- California (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- Chita (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Montana (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nunavut (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Poland (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Québec (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Utah (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Yukon (native)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Aug 16, 2021 by Frozy <3 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 31, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 20, 2017 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 31, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 31, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 19, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 20, 2017 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Oct 3, 2017 by Catherine Thery (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 28, 2019 by Jot Ess (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 16, 2017 by Heinz Gass (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2017 by Petra Marinko (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 5, 2017 by Michel Laval (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 27, 2019 by Isabelle Bellin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 31, 2022 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 28, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Françoise PEYRISSAT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken Aug 30, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 31, 2022 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 11, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 18, 2022 by Nicolas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 19, 2020 by Edoardo Fusi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2019 by Eurydice Agloon (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2022 by Didier (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:792120-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3032585)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Parnassia palustris L.)
Specifications
Growth form: Stoloniferous
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth rate: Moderate
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 6.0
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Soil nutriments: 2