Whitestem frasera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Whitestem frasera |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Frasera
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| Species: |
albicaulis
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| Synonyms | |
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Swertia albicaulis |
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Frasera albicaulis is a cool flowering plant from the gentian family. People often call it the whitestem frasera because of its light-colored stems. This plant grows naturally in the mountains of the northwestern United States. It's a type of plant that lives for many years, growing new parts each spring from a strong, woody base.
About the Whitestem Frasera
This plant can grow from about 10 centimeters (4 inches) to 70 centimeters (28 inches) tall. It has groups of leaves that grow close to the ground, forming a circle called a rosette. These lower leaves are long and shaped like a spear, up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) long. They have their own small stalks, called petioles.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the whitestem frasera are green with white edges. Leaves higher up on the stem are smaller and narrower. They grow in pairs, one on each side of the stem.
The plant's flowers grow in a thick cluster at the top of the stem. This cluster is called an inflorescence, and it often looks like a tall, narrow pyramid. Sometimes, the flowers are grouped in separate sections along the stem.
Flower Details
Each flower has four pointed parts at its base, called sepals, which form the calyx. The main part of the flower, called the corolla, also has four pointed parts, or lobes. These lobes are about half to one centimeter long.
The flowers can be pale greenish-white, light blue, or even purple. They often have darker blue dots, stripes, or lines on them. Inside each flower, there are four stamens, which are like tiny stalks with pollen at their tips. In the very center, there's a part called the ovary, which will later become the plant's fruit.
