frasera

Frasera is a genus of flowering plants in the family Gentianaceae. It contains around 18 to 20 species, native to western North America, from British Columbia and Alaska south to the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains. The genus is named in honor of the Scottish botanist John Fraser. Frasera species are herbaceous perennials forming a basal leaf rosette and sending up a tall flowering stalk.

Flowers are arranged in loose to dense panicles at the top of the stalk; they typically have five lobes and are often pale yellow to greenish, sometimes with purple or brown markings. They bloom in late spring to midsummer, and are adapted to insect pollination, especially bees.

Habitat ranges from meadows and open slopes to montane forest edges, at elevations from about 1000 to 3000 meters, depending on species. Many species favor well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. Some have specialized habitats and restricted ranges, making them sensitive to habitat disturbance and climate change.

In horticulture, Frasera is not widely cultivated, though a few species are grown by native-plant enthusiasts or in wildflower restorations. They are valued for their tall, delicate inflorescences and their role in native mountain ecosystems.