Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia
Cascade grass-of-parnassus
(c) David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David Anderson · licence
Family: Parnassiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia (Cascade grass-of-parnassus) is a native California herb in the Parnassiaceae family, recognized by varietal differences and staminode shape key.
Cascade grass-of-parnassus is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in wet places at elevations of 700 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from August to September, this plant produces white flowers 5 to 10 millimeters wide with delicate fringed petals. Growing with slender stems 20 to 40 centimeters tall, it has a graceful, upright habit. Its leaves are broad, with larger blades up to 5 centimeters wide, creating a lush green backdrop for its delicate blooms. The flower's distinctive fringe filaments, measuring 1 to 3 millimeters long, add an intricate texture to this elegant wetland species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; varietal differences and staminode shape key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet places
Elevation: 700-2900 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Trinity, Shasta
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia blooms Aug-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 var. intermedia native to California?
Yes. Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia bloom?
Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia blooms Aug-Sep.
Where in California does Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia grow?
Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia occurs in Siskiyou, Trinity, Shasta, at elevations of 700-2900 m.
What plant family does Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia belong to?
Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia is in the Parnassiaceae family, genus Parnassia.
Is Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia rare or endangered?
Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Parnassia fimbriata — Fringed grass of parnassus
- Parnassia palustris — Marsh grass of parnassus
- Parnassia parviflora — Small-flowered grass-of-parnassus
- Parnassia sp. — Grass-of-parnassus
- Parnassia cirrata — San Bernardino Grass-Of-Parnassus
- Parnassia cirrata var. cirrata — San bernardino grass-of-parnassus
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.