Sunnyside Green-gentian
Frasera gypsicola
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2
State (S-rank): S1
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Frasera gypsicola is know from Millard County, Utah and from populations in Nevada where it only grows in the Nevada Great Basin. In Utah this species is often associated with a few other species that together, could have a floristic story to tell as they share in common a tendency for interesting and disjunct populations including, Ivesia kingii and Sphaeromeria capitata. Sunnyside Green-Gentian has white flowers that bloom at the top of the plant in a pattern that could be described as a small constellation of stars, each flower having four petals that are speckled with purple spots and a gland bordered with a small flurry of white hairs. Having opposite leaves and four petaled flowers together make this plant unique in any region.
Description
Frasera gypsicola is know from Millard County, Utah and from populations in Nevada where it only grows in the Nevada Great Basin. In Utah this species is often associated with a few other species that together, could have a floristic story to tell as they share in common a tendency for interesting and disjunct populations including, Ivesia kingii and Sphaeromeria capitata. Sunnyside Green-Gentian has white flowers that bloom at the top of the plant in a pattern that could be described as a small constellation of stars, each flower having four petals that are speckled with purple spots and a gland bordered with a small flurry of white hairs. Having opposite leaves and four petaled flowers together make this plant unique in any region.
Phenology
Flowers from mid-June to July
Diagnostic characteristics
This species is regionally unique and not likely to be mistaken for another species. Frasera gyspicola is distinguished by its narrow leaves and purple spotted flowers.
Species range
A Nevada Great Basin endemic, found primarily in Nevada, but known from a single location in w. Millard County, Utah
Threats or limiting factors
This species is threatened by off-road-vehicles, drought, irrigation water diversion ditches (past), agriculture (grazing), development for recreation and a major north-south highway constructed in 1981. A future threat to this species could be the transfer of water to Las Vegas which would lower water table. Currently, water is diverted for local agricultural wells. The affect of water pumping and grazing needs to be studied. Overgrowth of woody and large vegetation is also a potential threat, as it competes with the species for scarce resources.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies