Elk-weed
Frasera speciosa
Observed in open, mature ponderosa forest in the Upper East Verde watershead just below the Mogollon Rim, Gila Co., Arizona, USA. August 2010.
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FLOWERS: Spectacular conical spike-cluster of flowers shoot up a meter
to more than 2 meters from the forest floor. The flowers have 4 or 5 petals that are shades
of white, green and violet.
LEAVES: Leaves are all basal during the several years of vegetative
growth. In flowering plants the upper leaves are smaller and set three per
node.
PERENNIAL: An herbaceous plant regrowing for several years from a root
stock and then dying after blooming once.
RANGE: Found in montane habitats through much of western North America.
In Arizona it occurs along the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains.
FRUIT: At maturity the capsules hold many seeds.
UNARMED. No spines.
Gentianaceae -- Gentian Family
More Information:
- Southwest Environmentnal Information Network
- Southwest Colorado Wildflowers
- USDA Plant Profile
- ITIS Taxonomic Report
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search