Parnassia palustris, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1964, Flora Europaea - Volume 1. Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae, Cambridge University Press : 381

1. P. palustris L. , Sp. Pl. 273 (1753).

Glabrous and somewhat glaucous. Stem 5-40 cm, erect, usually bearing a single sessile leaf. Remaining leaves basal, petiolate, ovate to deltate-orbicular, cordate, often spotted with red beneath. Flowers 15-30 mm in diameter; petals white, with darker, semi-transparent veins; staminodes spathulate, terminating in 9-13 linear processes tipped with yellow-green glands. Wet places. Most ofEurope, but rare in the south. Al Au Be Br Bu Cz Da Fe Ga Ge Gr Hb He Ho Hs Hu Is It Ju No Po Rm Rs (N, B, C, W, E) Su.

A variable species, in which the relation between phenotypic, ecotypic and geographical variation, and their relation to chromosome number, is not yet clear. Two European subspecies may be recognized, but intermediates are found in the Alps and elsewhere.