Fringed Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia fimbriata) is in the staff-vine family family (Celastraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,400 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Nationally it blooms mainly from August to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Fringed Grass of Parnassus: observations by month (U.S.)
About Fringed Grass of Parnassus
Parnassia fimbriata is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae known by the common name fringed grass of Parnassus. It is native to western North America from Alaska and northwestern Canada to the southern Rocky Mountains, where it is a plant of alpine and subalpine environments.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Fringed Grass of Parnassus by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 450 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Montana | 252 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Colorado | 211 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Oregon | 122 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Wyoming | 121 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Idaho | 90 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Alaska | 75 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Utah | 36 | August | Aug–Aug |
| California | 33 | August | Aug–Sep |
| New Mexico | 7 | July | Jul–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (staff-vine family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Fringed Grass of Parnassus?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from August to August.
Where is Fringed Grass of Parnassus most often seen?
The most observations come from Washington, Montana, Colorado.