Frasera neglecta
Pine green-gentian
(c) James M. Maley, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Frasera neglecta (Pine green-gentian) is a native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by plant size, leaf width, and inflorescence density.
Pine green-gentian is a California native perennial found in the southern Coast Ranges and Transverse Ranges in dry, open woodland at elevations of 1,400 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces green-white flowers with purple streaks, 7 to 15 millimeters long, with distinctive oblong-obovate lobes. Growing 20 to 55 centimeters tall with multiple stems and rosettes, it emerges glabrous with upright, branching form. Its leaves are narrowly linear to oblanceolate, with white margins, basal leaves 2.5 to 20 centimeters long and 3 to 9 millimeters wide, arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. The flower's nectary pits are round to nearly square, with a low, fringed ridge between stamens, adding to its unique botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key features are plant size, leaf width, and inflorescence density
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open woodland
Elevation: 1400-2500 m
California counties: Kern, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Frasera neglecta blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 neglecta native to California?
Yes. Frasera neglecta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Frasera neglecta bloom?
Frasera neglecta blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Frasera neglecta grow?
Frasera neglecta occurs in Kern, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, at elevations of 1400-2500 m.
What plant family does Frasera neglecta belong to?
Frasera neglecta is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Frasera.
Is Frasera neglecta rare or endangered?
Frasera neglecta carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · 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.