梅花草属（学名：Parnassia）共约50余种，分布在温带的湿地区域，尤其在北半球气候寒冷的地区是主要的植被组成部分。

本科植物为草本，叶互生或螺旋式排列，基部有叶鞘；花两性，花瓣5裂，辐射对称；果实为蒴果。

1981年的克朗奎斯特分类法将其列入虎耳草科，1998年根据基因亲缘关系分类的APG 分类法单独分出一个科，放在I类真蔷薇分支下，没有归入任何一目，但选择性地可以和微形草科合并，2003年经过修订的APG II 分类法将其放在卫矛目下。

Grass of Parnassus is also the title of a book of poetry by Andrew Lang.

The genus Parnassia, also known as Grass of Parnassus or bog-stars, are plants in the family Celastraceae. The plants occur in arctic and alpine habitats, as well as in dune systems and fens, swamps, wet meadows, open seepage areas, moist woods, and across the Northern Hemisphere. It is actually not a grass, but an herbaceous dicot. The stalk of the plant can reach up to 8 inches (200 mm), the leaves up to 4 inches (100 mm) and the petals can be up to 1.4 inches (36 mm) wide. The flower has five white petals with light green venation. There are five three-pronged sterile stamens, each tipped with drop-like, false nectaries, which (along with the visual cue of veins) attract pollinating flies and bees.