About Parnassia grandifolia DC.
Parnassia grandifolia DC., commonly called bigleaf grass of Parnassus, is a herbaceous flowering plant belonging to the family Celastraceae. This species is native to the southeastern United States, where it grows in a spotty distribution across the region. Its primary habitat consists of open wet areas over calcareous soil, including fens and gravelly seeps. In the Gulf Coastal Plain, however, it occurs in bogs and wet savanna areas. Parnassia grandifolia is uncommon across its entire range, and most sites that host the species hold only a low number of individual plants. It is recognized as an indicator of high-quality seepage communities, and cannot survive in habitats that have become degraded. Much of this species' specialized wetland habitat has been destroyed across many areas due to human development and agricultural activity, so Parnassia grandifolia is classified as a vulnerable species. It is a perennial plant that grows in a rosette form, and produces white flowers from late summer through fall.
