Parnassia cirrata
San Bernardino Grass-Of-Parnassus
(c) David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David Anderson · licence
Family: Parnassiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Parnassia cirrata (San Bernardino Grass-Of-Parnassus) is a native California herb in the Parnassiaceae family, recognized by fringed petals vs entire petals key diagnostic.
San Bernardino grass-of-Parnassus is a California native perennial found in rocky or moist habitats at mid to high elevation ranges. Flowering from late summer to early autumn, this delicate plant produces white flowers with distinctive fringed petals 8 to 15 millimeters long and elegantly shaped staminodes. Growing with slender stems 17 to 43 centimeters tall, it emerges with graceful vertical presence. Its leaves are round-ovate, measuring 3 to 18 centimeters in length, with blades 1 to 6 centimeters wide that taper to a softly heart-shaped base. The fruit develops 5 to 13 millimeters long, completing its subtle reproductive cycle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; fringed petals vs entire petals key diagnostic
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Tehama, Trinity, Siskiyou, Shasta
How to tell it apart
vs Limnanthes: Parnassia has fringed staminodes between stamens; meadowfoam has simple stamens without staminodes.; vs Limonium: Parnassia has solitary flowers on single stems; sea lavender has flowers in branching clusters.; vs Linum: Parnassia has fringed staminodes; flax has simple stamens and capsules splitting into 10 segments.; vs Ayenia: Parnassia has broad petals and fringed staminodes; Ayenia has thread-like petals and fused stamen tube.; vs Drosera: Parnassia has smooth leaves; sundew has leaves covered with sticky insect-trapping hairs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Parnassia cirrata native to California?
Yes. Parnassia cirrata is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Parnassia cirrata grow?
Parnassia cirrata occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Tehama, Trinity, Siskiyou, Shasta.
What plant family does Parnassia cirrata belong to?
Parnassia cirrata is in the Parnassiaceae family, genus Parnassia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Parnassia cirrata var. cirrata — San bernardino grass-of-parnassus
- Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia — Cascade grass-of-parnassus
- Parnassia fimbriata — Fringed grass of parnassus
- Parnassia palustris — Marsh grass of parnassus
- Parnassia parviflora — Small-flowered grass-of-parnassus
- Parnassia sp. — Grass-of-parnassus
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.