Grass of Parnassus
Don’t let the name fool you. This northern native wildflower isn’t the lawn on Mount Parnassus overlooking Delphi in central Greece. It doesn’t even look like grass, whoever named it must have been high on some other grass that has nothing to do with lawns either.
Parnassia glauca
Grass of Parnassus is somewhat rare. The plant prefers wet limy soils but I’m surprised I haven’t seen it in more than one location in St. Lawrence County, NY. We have more than enough wet meadows that fill the bill around my area in the Town of Canton. I was afraid I’d miss the blooming this year since the flower buds were just about ready to open when I left for Long Island on Aug 12.
Happily I came home in time to catch the last of the blooms.
Bog Star
The lines on the petals are green but often the lighting makes them look gray.
Grass of Parnassus
You can still see the flower structure after the petals have dropped.
Going to Seed
Going to seed is sometimes a beautiful thing. Just not in my case so don’t ask to see any photos of yours truly. If you want to look something in the eyes – try this – it has a much happier face than mine.
Dragonfly
It’s great my son-in-law and his friends put the new roof on the house but I’m not entirely pleased with the way they mulched my flower beds around the house.
They did a good job putting on the new shingles but I’m in no shape to clean up after them.
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August 29th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
The Parnassus grass is cool, as is that caramel-eyed dragonfly. But, bananas!, I hope there wasn’t anything special growing under that weighed-down tarp!
August 29th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Oy, they’re going to clean that up aren’t they?!
I *love* Grass of Parnassus. I saw it in bloom at the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill and it’s one of the coolest flowers EVER. The stripes on the petals look almost fluorescent.
August 29th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I love that bloom with green lines!
August 29th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
The dragonfly must be as busy as you, is so tired at the end of the day, simply can’t hold but to rest its wings low.
August 29th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
The Grass of Parnassus is very unique. I have never seen that before. What a pretty flower. That dragonfly is too funny. They look like space creatures.
August 30th, 2009 at 1:22 am
I like that flower. The lines on the petals have a strange kind of order to them. Be careful, that dragonfly looks like he’s up to no good. He keeps staring at me.
August 30th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Dear Mr. WiseA**
I wouldn’t be too happy with that type of mulch on my garden either .. I hope they went back and cleaned up that mess for you ?
Love that dragonfly and the stages of that bog flower .. have you seen any other trees that might fit the description of a “Halloween Tree” .. I’m missing that great one you use to have
August 30th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Those flowers remind me of Hepatica. They’re lovely! I’ll keep my eyes out for them and hope they haven’t all gone by down here. Sorry about your flower beds.