Parnassia obovata Hand.-Mazz.

In floral structure, this species is close to Parnassia dilatata and P. wightiana. However, P. obovata is easily distinguished by its peculiar, obovate or oblong-obovate basal leaf blade, with cuneate base and rounded, often obtusely apiculate apex.

Stems (2 or)3(or 4), 19-22 cm, with 1 leaf near middle or distally. Basal leaves 4-6(-12), forming a rosette; petiole 5-11 cm; leaf blade abaxially greenish, adaxially deep green, obovate or oblong-obovate, 2-4 × 1.5-2.6 cm, 5-7-veined with veins parallel in proximal 2/3, prominent abaxially, and impressed adaxially, base cuneate, apex rounded, often obtusely apiculate. Cauline leaf sessile, semiamplexicaul, ovate or broadly so, 1.2-2 × 1.5-2.4 cm, base subcordate, often with several rusty brown appendages. Flower ca. 2.4 cm in diam.; hypanthium turbinate. Sepals adaxially densely purple-brown punctate, ovate or oblong, ca. 6 × 3-4 mm, margin sparsely denticulate, apex acute. Petals white, densely purple-brown punctate on both surfaces, oblong or obovate, ca. 1.2 cm × 4-5 mm, 5-veined basally, base cuneate, margin long fimbriate proximally, entire or undulate distally. Anthers ellipsoid, ca. 3.5 mm; filaments ca. 6 mm; staminodes flat, ca. 5 mm, 3-5-lobed, with inconspicuous glands at apex. Ovary superior, obovoid-trigonous, depressed at apex; style ca. 1.5 mm; stigma 3-lobed. Capsule obconical, with 3 or 4 slightly thickened angles. Seeds brown, glossy, oblong. Fl. Oct.

* Streamsides, moist places. Guizhou (Changling, Langdai).