Frasera caroliniensis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Gentianales |
Family: | Gentianaceae |
Genus: | Frasera |
Species: | F. caroliniensis |
Binomial name | |
Frasera caroliniensis | |
Synonyms | |
Swertia caroliniensis(Walter) Kuntze |
Frasera caroliniensis, commonly known as American columbo or yellow gentian, is a herbaceous perennial of the gentian family Gentianaceae found in the deciduous forest of Southern Ontario and throughout the eastern and southeastern United States. [2] It was previously known as Swertia caroliniensis.
American columbo is a monocarpic perennial, meaning it flowers once after multiple seasons, and then dies. When it reaches the flowering stage, the 3 – 6 inch lanceolate leaves develop (usually in whorls of four) on a round elongated stem, and approximately 50 to 100 flowers will develop a panicle, with the fruits maturing soon after. The flowers that it produces are about 1 inch in diameter and folious (tall and "spike"-like), green to yellow with purple speckles. It is a perfect and complete flower, with four stamens and two carpels. [3] The oblong-shaped seed capsule has a brownish color and is about 1/2 inch long. The entire plant can reach heights over 2 metres (7 ft). Though it is monocarpic, the plant may live for up to 30 years before flowering. [2]
The roots of F. caroliniensis are a taproot system, with a thick and fleshy taproot, and in some Frasera species, this may be modified into a branched rhizome. The leaves of F. caroliensis are carried on stalks ("petiolate") and have a thick, waxy texture. [3]
It is also known as American calumba, American colombo, Radix colombo americanae, Frasera Walteri, Frasera canadensis, faux colomo, meadowpride, pyramid-flower, pyramid-plant, Indian lettuce, yellow gentian, and ground-century.
American columbo lives in dry upland areas, rocky woods, and areas with calcareous soil, though soil texture or other soil characteristics do not limit it. [2] The species ranges from deciduous forest regions in southern Ontario, through southern Michigan, northern Indiana, southern Illinois, southern Missouri, southeast Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and northern Louisiana. [4]
Medicinal uses for American columbo have mostly been rebutted. However, it was a common belief in the early 19th century that the root of the plant might be externally used for gangrene. It was also claimed to be useful in treating jaundice, scurvy, gout, and rabies. [3]
The dried root, which was official in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1880, is used as a simple tonic. [5]
Frasera caroliniensis is chiefly known as an occasional substitute for calumba root, or Jateorhiza palmata , a native of Mozambique. [6]
Several tree species are associated with F. caroliniensis, such as sweet-gum ( Liquidambar styraciflua ), tulip tree ( Liriodendron tulipifera ) and pignut hickory ( Carya glabra ). Even more vines and understory trees are associated with this species, such as eastern redbud ( Cercis canadensis ), strawberry bush ( Euonymus americanus ), Japanese honeysuckle ( Lonicera japonica ), Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia ) and poison ivy ( Toxicodendron radicans ). Herbs associated with the species include the prostrate ticktrefoil ( Desmodium rotundifolium ), Christmas fern ( Polystichum acrostichoides ) and ebony spleenwort ( Asplenium platyneuron ). The canopy of trees that are associated with this species are important for its survival, though if the canopy becomes too dense the plant may not flower as well. [2] When the plants do flower, they contain large nectaries, which aid in pollination. [7]
This species is endangered in Ontario and nationally in Canada. The most extreme limiting factor for this species is invasive plants that are heavily infesting its habitat. [8] This may be attributed to its long life cycle, which would not allow the species to adapt to rapid changes in the environment, and therefore not survive long enough to disperse its seeds. Also, this species has a "seed dormancy" (prevention of germination until optimal environmental conditions are present), that can only be broken in typical spring conditions. Furthermore, deforestation can be extremely destructive to the plants, as they rely on the canopy provided by the trees. Conservation practices to manage these issues include leaving surrounding trees within 4 square metres (43 sq ft), stimulating growth by cutting a small opening in the canopy, and draining overly flooded areas to provide clay-like soil. [4]
Goldenseal, also called orangeroot or yellow puccoon, is a perennial herb in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to North America. It may be distinguished by its thick, yellow knotted rootstock. The stem is purplish and hairy above ground and yellow below ground where it connects to the yellow rhizome. Goldenseal reproduces both clonally through the rhizome and sexually, with clonal division more frequent than asexual reproduction. It takes between 4 and 5 years for a plant to reach sexual maturity, i.e. the point at which it produces flowers. Plants in the first stage, when the seed erupts and cotyledons emerge, can remain in this state one or more years. The second vegetative stage occurs during years two and three and is characterized by the development of a single leaf and absence of a well developed stem. Finally, the third stage is reproductive, at which point flowering and fruiting occurs. This last stage takes between 4 and 5 years to develop.
In horticulture, the term is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than two years. The term is also loosely used to distinguish plants with little or no woody growth from trees and shrubs, which are also technically perennials. Notably, it is estimated that 94% of plant species fall under the category of perennials, underscoring the prevalence of plants with lifespans exceeding two years in the botanical world.
Echium vulgare, known as viper's bugloss and blueweed, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family Boraginaceae. It is native to most of Europe and western and central Asia and it occurs as an introduced species in north-eastern North America, south-western South America and the South and North Island of New Zealand. The plant root was used in ancient times as a treatment for snake or viper bites. If eaten, the plant is toxic to horses and cattle through the accumulation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the liver.
Gentiana lutea, the great yellow gentian, is a species of gentian native to the mountains of central and southern Europe.
This is an alphabetical index of articles related to gardening.
Echinacea pallida, the pale purple coneflower, is a species of herbaceous perennial plant in the family Asteraceae. It is sometimes grown in gardens and used for medicinal purposes. Its native range is the central region of the United States and Ontario, Canada.
Illicium floridanum is an evergreen shrub native to the Gulf Coast area of the Southern United States, from Florida to Louisiana.
Frasera, the green gentians, is a genus in the gentian family, native to North America and named for John Fraser, a Scottish botanist and colleague of Thomas Walter.
Chamaelirium is a genus of flowering plants containing the single species Chamaelirium luteum, commonly known as blazing-star, devil's bit, false unicorn, fairy wand, and helonias. It is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States. It can be found in a variety of habitats, including wet meadows and deciduous woodlands.
Frasera albomarginata is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family known by the common name desert green gentian, or desert frasera.
Frasera neglecta is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family known by the common name pine green gentian.
Frasera parryi is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family known by the common name Coahuila frasera.
Frasera speciosa is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family (Gentianaceae) known by the common names elkweed, monument plant, and green gentian. When blooming it grows a tall stalk with numerous flowers that have purple dotted green petals. Each plant can flower just once before it dies.
Frasera tubulosa is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family known by the common name Kern frasera.
Lewisia maguirei is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Montiaceae known by the common name Maguire's lewisia, or Maguire's bitterroot. It is endemic to Nevada in the United States, where it is known only from eastern Nye County.
Frasera coloradensis is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family known by the common name Colorado green gentian. It is endemic to Colorado in the United States, where it is limited to the southeastern corner of the state.
Frasera gypsicola is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family known by the common names Sunnyside green-gentian, Sunnyside elkweed, and Sunnyside frasera. It is native to southeastern Nevada and southwestern Utah in the United States.
Myrica caroliniensis is a shrub or small tree native to the coast and coastal plains of southeastern North America. Its common names include bayberry, southern bayberry, pocosin bayberry, and evergreen bayberry. It sees uses in the garden and for candlemaking, as well as a medicinal plant.
Aletris obovata is a plant species native to the southeastern United States.
Potentilla simplex, also known as common cinquefoil or old-field five-fingers or oldfield cinquefoil, is a perennial herb in the Rosaceae (rose) family native to eastern North America from Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador south to Texas, Alabama, and panhandle Florida.
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