Frasera albomarginata
Desert frasera
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Frasera albomarginata (Desert frasera) is a native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Desert frasera is a California native perennial found in desert regions, growing in rocky or open areas at elevations of 900 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces green-white flowers with purple dots, approximately 8 to 14 millimeters long, with lance-oblong lobes that have distinctive fringed ridges between stamens. Growing 30 to 60 centimeters tall with one to few glabrous or slightly puberulent stems, it develops an elegant upright structure. Its leaves are distinctive, with basal leaves 2 to 9 centimeters long and 5 to 10 millimeters wide, oblanceolate with white margins and acute tips, while cauline leaves are whorled and become lance-linear toward the stem's upper portion. The plant's flowers feature intriguing nectary pits that are roughly truncate or slightly two-lobed at their tips, adding to its botanical complexity.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo
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 albomarginata native to California?
Yes. Frasera albomarginata is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Frasera albomarginata grow?
Frasera albomarginata occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo.
What plant family does Frasera albomarginata belong to?
Frasera albomarginata is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Frasera.
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.