Frasera tubulosa facts for kids

Frasera tubulosa (also known as Swertia tubulosa) is a pretty flowering plant. It belongs to the gentian family. People often call it the Kern frasera.

Where Does Kern Frasera Grow?

The Kern frasera plant only grows in California. It is found in the southern part of the Sierra Nevada mountains. You can mostly see it in the Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia National Park. This plant likes to grow in open mountain areas. It also lives in the chaparral and woodlands of the foothills.

What Does Kern Frasera Look Like?

The Kern frasera is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It can grow from just a few centimeters tall up to about one meter.

Leaves

The leaves at the bottom of the plant are long and pointed. They are shaped like a spear. These basal leaves can be up to 9 centimeters (about 3.5 inches) long. They are green with white edges. Their tips often curve downwards. Smaller leaves grow higher up on the stem. These smaller leaves are arranged in circles around the stem.

Flowers

The flowers grow in a cluster at the top of the stem. This cluster is called an inflorescence. It looks like an open panicle, which is a branched group of flowers. Each flower has four pointed parts called sepals. These sepals form a cup around the flower. The flower also has a bell-shaped part called the corolla. The corolla has four pointed lobes, each about one centimeter long. The corolla is usually white or has a light blue tint. It often has light blue lines, like veins. Inside the flower, there are four stamens. These stamens have large tips called anthers. There is also a central ovary, which will develop into the fruit.