marsh grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) is in the staff-vine family family (Celastraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,295 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Nationally it blooms mainly from July to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph marsh grass-of-Parnassus: observations by month (U.S.)
About marsh grass-of-Parnassus
Parnassia palustris, commonly called 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.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
marsh grass-of-Parnassus by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 605 | July | Jul–Aug |
| California | 566 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Minnesota | 65 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Oregon | 28 | August | Aug–Oct |
| Washington | 9 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Utah | 8 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Nevada | 5 | August | Aug–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 marsh grass-of-Parnassus?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from July to August.
Where is marsh grass-of-Parnassus most often seen?
The most observations come from Alaska, California, Minnesota.