White-margined or desert frasera

Leucocraspedum albomarginatum (S. Watson) Rydberg; Swertia albomarginata (S. Watson) Kuntze

Herbs perennial, (1–)2–6 dm, glabrous. Stems 1–few. Leaf blades white-margined; basal oblanceolate, 2–10 × 0.5–1 cm; cauline leaves whorled at least proximally on main stem, usu­ally opposite on branches, distal blades linear-lanceolate. Inflorescences diffuse, often branching at or near base of main stem. Flowers: calyx (2–)5–12 mm; corolla greenish white, often purple-dotted, 8–14 mm, lobes elliptic-obovate, apex abruptly acuminate; androecial corona a fringe, sometimes scarcely developed; style slender, distinct; nectaries and foveae 1 per corolla lobe, foveae opening distal to nectary, into a differentiated area on the corolla surface that is proximally oblong with a raised rim fringed ± 1/2 its height, distally wider with rim fringed to base.

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora): w United States.

Lower Taxa

• Frasera albomarginata var. albomarginata
• Frasera albomarginata var. induta (Tidestrom) Card