About Frasera albicaulis Douglas ex Griseb.
Frasera albicaulis, with the accepted scientific name Frasera albicaulis Douglas ex Griseb., is a species of flowering plant that belongs to the Gentianaceae family. It is most commonly known by the common name whitestem frasera. This plant is native to the northwestern region of the United States, where it grows in open areas within mountain habitats. It is a perennial herb that grows from a woody base, which is surrounded by rosettes of leaves. Its stem reaches between 10 and 70 centimeters in height. The leaves of this plant are green with distinct white margins. The basal leaves are lance-shaped, grow up to 30 centimeters long, and are attached to the plant via petioles. Leaves located higher up on the stem are smaller and narrower than the basal leaves, and they are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. The inflorescence forms a dense panicle at the top of the stem; in some cases, this structure is interrupted into a series of separate flower clusters. Each individual flower has a calyx made up of four pointed sepals, and a corolla made up of four pointed lobes that measure between one half and one centimeter long each. The corolla ranges in color from pale greenish white to light blue to purple, and it is often dotted, streaked, or veined with darker blue markings. Each flower contains four stamens tipped with large anthers, along with a single central ovary.
