Frasera albicaulis var. nitida
Whitestem frasera
(c) Michael O'Loughlin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael O'Loughlin · licence
Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Frasera albicaulis var. nitida (Whitestem frasera) is a native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by glabrous surfaces and leaf architecture.
Whitestem frasera is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in dry, open woodland and chaparral at elevations of 150 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers with distinctive green-tinged petals. Growing with smooth, upright stems 30 to 90 centimeters tall, it forms an elegant, somewhat arching structure. Its leaves are large and glabrous, with the larger leaves arching and having sharp, acute tips. The plant creates a striking presence in its dry woodland habitats, with its clean white stems and delicate flower clusters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are glabrous surfaces and leaf architecture
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open woodland, chaparral
Elevation: 150-1900 m
California counties: Lake, Butte, Shasta, Siskiyou, Plumas, Trinity, Modoc, Nevada, Humboldt, Lassen, Tehama, Napa, El Dorado, Placer
Outside California: to Oregon
Bloom period
Frasera albicaulis var. nitida blooms May-Jul.
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. nitida native to California?
Yes. Frasera albicaulis var. nitida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Frasera albicaulis var. nitida bloom?
Frasera albicaulis var. nitida blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Frasera albicaulis var. nitida grow?
Frasera albicaulis var. nitida occurs in Lake, Butte, Shasta, Siskiyou, Plumas, Trinity, Modoc, Nevada and other counties, at elevations of 150-1900 m.
What plant family does Frasera albicaulis var. nitida belong to?
Frasera albicaulis var. nitida is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Frasera.
What habitat does Frasera albicaulis var. nitida grow in?
Frasera albicaulis var. nitida grows in Dry, open woodland, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.