Herbs perennial, 1–6.5 dm. Stems 1–few, with several rosettes. Leaf blades narrowly white-margined; basal oblan­ceolate, 4–23 × 0.3–1.2(–2) cm, basal leaves generally longer than lowest internode; cauline leaves opposite, proximal blades oblanceolate to oblong, distal linear-oblong. Inflorescences narrow, 1.5–4(–5) cm wide, interrupted proximally, ± continuous distally. Flowers: calyx 3–7(–12) mm; corolla greenish white to pale or medium blue, usually dark blue- to purple-dotted and/or with a dark blue, purple, or green central stripe (except in var. idahoensis), 6–12 mm, lobes oblong-obovate-elliptic, widest near midlength, abruptly tapering to acute to short-acuminate apex; androecial corona scales present, variable among the varieties; style slender, distinct; nectaries and foveae 1 per corolla lobe, foveae distal to nectary, opening into an elliptic-oblong to lance-ovate differentiated area on the corolla surface, rim fringed all around but with fringes shorter distally, or not fringed toward distal end.

Distribution

w United States.

Discussion

Varieties 5 (5 in the flora).

Frasera albicaulis varies in vegetative and abaxial corolla puberulence and in the size and dissection of the androecial corona. It has sometimes been divided into several species and additional varieties, but, from the material available for study at the time of this writing, it appears appropriate to recognize only five varieties, although F. ackermaniae might be considered for inclusion at varietal rank. Each of these varieties has a more or less distinct geographic range, but some intergrade.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Frasera albicaulis var. albicaulis, Frasera albicaulis var. cusickii, Frasera albicaulis var. idahoensis, Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis, Frasera albicaulis var. nitida

Key

1	Stems and abaxial or both leaf surfaces puberu­lent; rim of differentiated area on corolla surface not fringed at distal end.	> 2
2	Corona scales oblong, margins lacerate or deeply toothed, ultimate divisions threadlike.	Frasera albicaulis var. albicaulis
2	Corona scales ovate to obovate or oblan­ceolate, margins entire or shallowly 2–3-lobed, rarely absent.	Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis
1	Stems glabrous; leaf blades glabrous or puberulent only near base and abaxially along midvein; rim of differentiated area on corolla surface fringed all around, fringes shorter near distal end.	> 3
3	Corona scales ovate to elliptic, margins entire or shallowly undulate-erose or toothed.	Frasera albicaulis var. cusickii
3	Corona scales ovate to elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, margins lacerate or deeply lobed.	> 4
4	Corollas greenish white or pale to medium blue, generally with dark blue to purple spots; corona scales 1–4 mm, oblong-lanceolate.	Frasera albicaulis var. nitida
4	Corollas pale blue, usually without darker spots; corona scales 2–6 mm, widely ovate to elliptic.	Frasera albicaulis var. idahoensis