Herbs with caudices. Stems 18–50 cm. Leaves: basal in rosettes; petiole 6–17 cm; blade (of larger leaves) reniform to reniform-orbiculate, 20–60 × 25–100 mm, <mostly wider than long>, base cordate, apex rounded; cauline on proximal 1/2 to middle of stem or absent. Flowers: sepals reflexed in fruit, oblong to obovate, 2.5–6.5 mm, margins hyaline, 0.2–0.4 mm wide, entire, apex rounded; petals 11–18-veined, ovate-elliptic, 10–18 × 7–11 mm, length 2–3 times sepals, base abruptly contracted to 2–3.5 mm claw, margins entire or undulate; stamens 8.5–11.5 mm; anthers 2.2–3.2 mm; staminodes 3-fid almost to base, gland-tipped, 5–9 mm, shorter than stamens, apical glands ovoid-conical, 0.5–0.9 mm; ovary green. Capsules 12 mm. 2n = 32.

Flowering summer–early fall. Fens, wet woods, rocky banks, often on acidic soils; 200–1500 m; Ala., Ark., Ga., Ky., Md., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., W.Va.

Parnassia asarifolia is considered endangered in Kentucky and Maryland. It is uncommon throughout its range.