Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Frasera speciosa Douglas ex Grisebach
(Green Gentian, Monument Plant, Showy Elkweed)


Family: Gentianaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Frasera speciosa Douglas ex Grisebach var. scabra M.E. Jones
Frasera stenosepala Rydberg
Frasera venosa Greene
Swertia radiata (Kellogg) Kuntze
Swertia radiata (Kellogg) Kuntze var. macrophylla (Greene) St. John

Frasera speciosa is easy to recognize by virtue of its tall, straight growth pattern with a large green spikelike inflorescence. The flowers are green spotted with brown, and alternate with large stamens. There is a basal rosette of leaves, with the upper cauline leaves nearly perpendicular to the stem. Frasera speciosa can be found at middle to upper elevations in moist areas in meadows or along the roadside.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Frasera speciosa, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak turnoff, July 2, 2007



Frasera speciosa, detail of inflorescence, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak turnoff, July 2, 2007



Frasera speciosa, growth habit, photo John Dunne-Brady, Lake Roberts


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