Scientific Family
Gentianaceae
Synonyms
Leucocraspedum albomarginatum, Swertia albomarginata
Other common names
desert elkweed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
6 to 22 inches
Riparian
No
Light green leaves have a wide white band along their edges, margins curved up; leaves grow densely, in a rosette around the base and in whorls or opposite pairs along the stems; may have 1 stem or several.
Perennial herb; 1 or few hairless stems from taproot; leaves white-margined, in dense basal rosette, whorled on lower stem, opposite above; stout stem branches spread to support numerous greenish-white or greenish-yellow flowers; petal tips are pointed.
Habitat
Grassland, desert scrub, pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine forests.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
4500
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Elongated clusters of flowers at top of stems; each flower has 4 pointed petals 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, darker green at the tips, with purple dots; 4 stamens tipped with large anthers and a central ovary.
Flower color
Greenish-white, greenish-yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves in dense basal rosette and on stems, whorled 4 to 6 per node on lower stem, opposite above, all with white leather-like, smooth or wavy margins; rosette leaves lance-like to oval, 2-3/4 to 4-3/4 inches long.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Light green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsules, about 1/2 inch long.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Dark Brown
Black, egg-shaped, wrinkled, 1/4 inch long.