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Parnassia palustris - L.

Common Name Grass Of Parnassus, Marsh grass of Parnassus, Mountain grass of Parnassus, Alaska grass of Parnass
Family Parnassiaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Wet moorland, marshes and raised bogs to quite a high altitude[7, 17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Greece and temperate Asia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Parnassia palustris Grass Of Parnassus,  Marsh grass of Parnassus,  Mountain grass of Parnassus, Alaska grass of Parnass


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parnassia_palustris_L.jpg
Parnassia palustris Grass Of Parnassus,  Marsh grass of Parnassus,  Mountain grass of Parnassus, Alaska grass of Parnass
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Albert_H.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Parnassia palustris is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Diuretic  Ophthalmic  Sedative  Tonic  Vulnerary

The whole plant is astringent, slightly diuretic, sedative, tonic and vulnerary[7, 9]. A decoction is occasionally used as a mouthwash in the treatment of stomatitis[7]. The dried and powdered plant can be sprinkled onto wounds to aid the healing process[7]. The plant is harvested in the summer or autumn and can be dried for later use[7]. A distilled water made from the plant is an excellent astringent eye lotion[7].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in moist peaty soils or in spongy bogs[1]. Requires an alkaline soil[200]. Plants can be naturalized in marshy grass[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in late autumn in a cold frame in pots of soil that are standing in shallow water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Parnassia cabulica Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM02 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Genyphyr   Sun Apr 6 2008

Flickr photos Parnassie des Marais -- a very good photo of this plant

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Subject : Parnassia palustris  
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