Taxon Report

Frasera albomarginata S. Watson var. albomarginata

desert green-gentian

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Frasera albomarginata var. albomarginata, commonly known as desert green-gentian, is a perennial herb in the Gentianaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Pinyon and juniper woodland (gravelly, and rocky), growing at elevations from 1370 to 2315 meters. Frasera albomarginata var. albomarginata is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Frasera albomarginata S. Watson var. albomarginata
Common Name:	desert green-gentian
Family:	Gentianaceae
Element Code:	PDGEN05021
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:	Swertia albomarginata

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jun(Jul-Sep)	Apr-Jun(Jul-Sep)
Elevation:	1370-2315 (4495-7595)
General Habitats:	Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.2
Global Rank:	G5T5
State Rank:	S3
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:	changed from 4.3 to 2B.2 on 2013-12-10

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	13
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	13

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Inyo (INY), San Bernardino (SBD)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Columbia Mtn. (3511514), Dry Mountain (3611785), Ivanpah (3511533), Last Chance Mtn. (3711736), Mid Hills (3511524), Pinto Valley (3511523)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	2
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	1	8 %
Foot traffic/trampling	1	7%
Grazing	1	7%

Notes



Previously CRPR 4.3; rarer than originally thought. Known in CA mostly from the New York Mtns. Possibly threatened by grazing. See Botany of the King Exploration, p. 280 (1871) for original description.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 4 March 2025].