Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis
Modoc frasera
Photo: parent species Frasera albicaulis · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis (Modoc frasera) is a native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by pubescence and leaf tip shape.
Modoc frasera is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the High Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau in dry, brushy places at elevations of 900 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white or cream-colored flowers with distinctive obtuse to rounded tips. Growing with upright stems 30 to 50 centimeters tall that are lightly covered in fine hairs, it forms an erect and somewhat slender appearance. Its leaves are puberulent on the underside, with larger leaves having rounded or blunt tips that do not arch or curve. The plant's unique chromosome count of 52 suggests a complex genetic heritage that distinguishes it from closely related species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are pubescence and leaf tip shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, brushy places
Elevation: 900-1600 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Modoc, Lassen, Shasta
Outside California: to Washington, Montana, northwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Swertia: Frasera has one nectar pit per petal; Swertia has two.; vs Chorizanthe: Frasera has four-petaled gentian flowers; spineflower has six perianth parts.; vs Nerium: Frasera is herbaceous; oleander is woody with milky sap.
Frequently asked questions
Is Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis native to California?
Yes. Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis bloom?
Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis grow?
Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis occurs in Siskiyou, Modoc, Lassen, Shasta, at elevations of 900-1600 m.
What plant family does Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis belong to?
Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Frasera.
Is Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis rare or endangered?
Frasera albicaulis var. modocensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.