Grass of Parnassus

Did you know

• Despite the name, grass of Parnassus is not a grass at all — it belongs to the family Celastraceae and the name refers to Mount Parnassus in Greece, sacred to the Muses.
• The white petals are elegantly veined with green or gold lines that guide pollinators toward nectar — a classic example of nectar guides visible to bee ultraviolet vision.
• At the center of the flower are five sterile stamens (staminodes) shaped like small forks, each tipped with glistening yellow knobs that mimic nectar droplets to deceive insects.
• It is an indicator species of high-quality calcareous wetlands (fens) in both North America and Europe — its presence signals excellent water quality and habitat integrity.
• The species glauca means 'blue-green' in Latin, referring to the distinctive waxy, gray-green coloring of its heart-shaped basal leaves.

Color meanings

Uses

• ornamental
• ecological indicator
• fen habitat