Frasera albomarginata

S. Watson

Botany (Fortieth Parallel), 280. 1871.

Common names: White-margined or desert frasera
Endemic
Synonyms: Leucocraspedum albomarginatum (S. Watson) Rydberg Swertia albomarginata (S. Watson) Kuntze
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 14.

Herbs perennial, (1–)2–6 dm, glabrous. Stems 1–few. Leaf blades white-margined; basal oblanceolate, 2–10 × 0.5–1 cm; cauline leaves whorled at least proximally on main stem, usu­ally opposite on branches, distal blades linear-lanceolate. Inflorescences diffuse, often branching at or near base of main stem. Flowers: calyx (2–)5–12 mm; corolla greenish white, often purple-dotted, 8–14 mm, lobes elliptic-obovate, apex abruptly acuminate; androecial corona a fringe, sometimes scarcely developed; style slender, distinct; nectaries and foveae 1 per corolla lobe, foveae opening distal to nectary, into a differentiated area on the corolla surface that is proximally oblong with a raised rim fringed ± 1/2 its height, distally wider with rim fringed to base.

Distribution

w United States.

Discussion

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Key

1 Inflorescence branches and calyx lobes glabrous; distal end of differentiated area on corolla lobes cordate to deeply 2-lobed. Frasera albomarginata var. albomarginata
1 Inflorescence branches and calyx lobes puberulent; distal end of differentiated area on corolla lobes rounded, truncate, or shallowly notched. Frasera albomarginata var. induta