The inflorescence is a solitary flower with five deeply veined white petals which may exceed 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) in length.

[4]: 25  Unlike Parnassia grandifolia, the pistil of P. caroliniana is white and the staminodes are apiculate, while the petals broaden at points closer to their base than is seen in P.

Other plants in the habitat may include Andropogon virginicus, A. glomeratus, Aristida stricta, Arundinaria tecta, Centella asiatica, Ctenium aromaticum, Dichromena sp., Erigeron vernus, Eryngium integrifolium, Eupatorium rotundifolium, E. leucolepis, E. pilosum, Fothergilla gardenii, Gaylussacia frondosa, Gentiana pennelliana, Helenium pinnatifidum, Ilex glabra, Lorinseria areolata, Lyonia lucida, Pinus serotina, Platanthera ciliaris, P. cristata, Pteridium aquilinum, Ptilimnium capillaceum, Pycnanthemum flexuosum, Rhexia alifanus, Sarracenia flava, S. purpurea, Taxodium ascendens and Vaccinium crassifolium.

This prevents a natural fire regime that would normally keep the forests and woodlands clear of brush and maintain an open canopy.

[1] This plant is being conserved at Moores Creek National Battlefield in North Carolina, where wetland rehabilitation is in progress.