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February 3, 2010 : Frasera albicaulis
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Plant Family / Families: Gentianaceae
Scientific Name and Author: Frasera albicaulis Griseb.
My last photographs for the series on the Gentianaceae today, though the series will continue until Friday.
These images were taken in mid-July 2009 northeast of the Lick Creek Campground in northeast Oregon, part of the USA's Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. I believe this particular plant was spotted by my traveling companion, and I was quite delighted to see it in person, as I had only known it from books previously.
A close relative of Frasera speciosa, white-stemmed (= albicaulis) frasera occupies a different habitat. Where Frasera speciosa is a species typically found in moist alpine or subalpine meadows, the much shorter (to 75cm / 30in) Frasera albicaulis tends to be a species of dry, open sites (including sagebrush-steppe). In this case, it was growing roadside in an open area heavily dotted with pieces of gravel with a low-growing species of Allium (the purple spots in the background of the second photograph).
While I was intrigued most by the unusual colours of its flowers, others have been more interested in its roots. A 1968 paper by Stout et al. in Tetrahedron explains the investigation of the roots for the presence of xanthones: Xanthones of the Gentianaceae--II *1: Frasera albicaulis Dougl. ex Griesb.. While many xanthones (i.e., molecules using xanthone as a central core molecule) were and are produced synthetically, fifteen different kinds were found in the roots of Frasera albicaulis -- ten of which had previously not been known to occur in nature. Xanthone proper is used in the production of insecticides, while some of the synthetic xanthones are involved in the manufacture of UV-resistant films.
Frasera albicaulis is native to western North America. For more photographs and a description of the species, see the Burke Museum's page: Frasera albicaulis.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at February 3, 2010 2:00 PM
Comments
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Posted by: Katie McIntosh at February 3, 2010 3:54 PM
I LOVE the purple anthers!
Posted by: Dottie at February 3, 2010 5:56 PM
their so beautiful! they look like little stars. :)
Posted by: Kate at February 3, 2010 6:35 PM
beautiful photography....each day I really look forward to the suprises I receive. I know so little but I am grateful for those that know so much allowing me to enjoy and learn.
Thanks!
Posted by: gail at February 4, 2010 6:11 AM
Stunning pic. Thank you.
Posted by: Sheila at February 4, 2010 8:05 AM
I very much like the idea of working with families
of plants. It is a good source of education for me.
Thank you.
Posted by: Richard at February 4, 2010 9:29 AM
lovely i am enjoying this series
when i searched on line cal photos has maps
that show where this flower may grow
click on the your state or country
then it will show on the map where
the plant might dwell
always something to do around here
thank you for the red list tag
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart at February 4, 2010 9:55 AM
:) nice flowers
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Posted by: Refeal at February 4, 2010 10:40 AM
lovely i am enjoying this series
when i searched on line cal photos has maps
that show where this flower may grow
click on the your state or country
then it will show on the map where
the plant might dwell
always something to do around here
thank you for the red list tag
Posted by: aubrey graham at February 4, 2010 10:41 AM
In recent years, xanthones from natural sources have been promoted as potent antioxidants for mopping up free radicals in the body. What is claimed to be one of the most potent of these supplements is an extract from the rind of mangosteen fruits.
Posted by: Charles Tubesing at February 4, 2010 12:29 PM
beautiful and beautiful and beautiful
Posted by: bita at February 5, 2010 5:09 AM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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Botany Photo of the Day and associated images by UBC Botanical Garden staff are licensed under a Creative Commons License. Images and text by non-UBC contributors are copyright the respective photographers / authors (but often have Creative Commons licenses if contributed via Flickr).
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Botany Photo of the Day is a project of the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, located in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. UBC BGCPR is a department of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems within The University of British Columbia.
Locally,in West Vancouver on the slopes of Hollyburn Mountain, the gentians around Gentian Lake and along some trails were spectacular last September. It was wonderful to see these flowers in the wild but so close to an urban area.