Frasera fastigiata facts for kids

Frasera fastigiata is a type of flowering plant. It is part of the gentian family. People often call it the clustered green gentian. Sometimes, it is also known by an older name, Swertia fastigiata. This plant grows naturally in the northwestern United States. You can find it in mountain meadows and other high-altitude areas.

About the Clustered Green Gentian

The clustered green gentian is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows a single, straight stem that can be very tall. Sometimes, it reaches over a meter (about 3 feet) in height.

What Does It Look Like?

The leaves at the bottom of the plant are oval or spoon-shaped. They can be quite large, up to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) long and 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) wide. Leaves higher up on the stem are usually smaller and thinner. Some of these leaves even have white edges.

The Flowers of the Gentian

The flowers grow in a thick cluster at the top of the stem. This cluster is called an inflorescence. Sometimes, the flowers are arranged in several groups along the stem instead of one big cluster. Each flower has four pointed parts, like petals, called lobes. Each lobe is about one centimeter long. The flowers are mostly greenish. They might also have hints of yellow or blue colors.

Inside each flower, there are four stamens. These are the parts that make pollen. They have large tips called anthers. In the very center of the flower is the ovary. This is where the seeds will form.

Related Plants

There is another rare plant called Frasera umpquaensis. Scientists sometimes group this plant with Frasera fastigiata. This means they are very similar and might even be considered the same species by some experts.