Scientific Family
Gentianaceae
Synonyms
F. macrophylla,  F. speciosa var. angustifolia, F. stenosepala, Swertia radiata, Tesseranthium angustifolium and more see SEINET.
Other common names
monument-plant
deers ears
green gentian
monument plant
showy frasera
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Verbascum thaspus
Height
1 to 6 feet
Riparian
Yes
Solitary, tall stem from a taproot with whorled leaves and a large spike-like arrangement of flowers.
Erect stout stalk, leaves and flowers dense along the stem; long, blade-like leaves from a basal rosette becoming whorled up the length of the stalk; star-shaped, light green flowers are dotted dark spots. Verbascum thaspus has yellow flowers.
Habitat
Found in wet areas in meadows and conifer forests.
Plant Community
Riparian
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
10000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers 4-lobed in clusters along the length of the stalk and on stems up to 4 inches long arising from the leaf nodes; petals elliptic to ovate and pointed, light green with dark speckles; sepals linear lance-like.
Flower color
Light green
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Long, blade-like leaves when mature, arise from a basal rosette and becoming whorled on the stems; basal leaves to 18 inches long and 6 inches wide, reversed lance-like shape, attached to the stem by the pointed end, other end rounded.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Light green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Tulip shaped, about 2 inches; open spontaneously when ripe.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Green turning to brown
Rectangular and flattened with a small wing, dark brown, 1-1/2 to 2-1/3 inches long.