Grass-of-Parnassus
Parnassia palustris
Parnassia palustris, the marsh grass of Parnassus, northern grass-of-Parnassus, or just grass-of-Parnassus, and bog star, is a flowering plant in the staff-vine family Celastraceae.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parnassia_palustris
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Celastrales
Family
Parnassiaceae
Genus
Parnassia
Grass-of-Parnassus belongs to the family Parnassiaceae, order Celastrales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Parnassia palustris, the marsh grass of Parnassus, northern grass-of-Parnassus, or just grass-of-Parnassus, and bog star, is a flowering plant in the staff-vine family Celastraceae.
Grass-of-Parnassus is declining primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized wetland environments. Agricultural intensification, drainage of wetlands, and changes in traditional land management practices have significantly reduced suitable habitat across its range.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Parnassia palustris is native to northern temperate parts of Eurasia where it is found in wet moorlands and marshes. It is now extinct in Algeria.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Grass-of-Parnassus is declining primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized wetland environments. Agricultural intensification, drainage of wetlands, and changes in traditional land management practices have significantly reduced suitable habitat across its range.
Agricultural intensification and fertilizer runoff
Wetland drainage and habitat loss
Abandonment of traditional grazing practices
Climate change affecting wetland hydrology
Succession and scrubland encroachment
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (EN).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia palustris). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/grass-of-parnassus