Search / Plant Profile / Frasera coloradensis

Plant Profile

Colorado Gentian (Frasera coloradensis)

A closeup of the rare Colorado gentian in flower. Photo Credit: J. Locklear

Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Gentianaceae
State: CO
Nature Serve ID: 136431
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/25/1988

Description:

Geological activity in southeastern Colorado has exposed rock formations buried more deeply in other parts of the plains. The Greenhorn Limestone is one of them, outcropping in a scattering of gentle hills and ridges that appear barren from a distance. The unique chemistry of limestone limits the growth of many plants, but not the Colorado gentian. This beautiful wildflower flourishes on the Greenhorn, and is essentially limited to its outcroppings in this remote corner of Colorado.

Where is Colorado Gentian (Frasera coloradensis) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Surfacing rock outcroppings and shallow, rocky soil derived from the Cretaceous-age Greenhorn Limestone Formation and, to a lesser extent, the calcareous Dakota Sandstone Formation. This sparsely vegetated habitat occurs within shortgrass prairie vegetation. Scattered juniper (Juniperus monosperma) is sometimes in association. Elevation 4000-5500 ft.

Distribution:

Limited to southeastern Colorado, where it occurs in Baca, Bent, Las Animas and Prowers counties, an area approximately 60 miles long and up to 25 miles wide.

States & Provinces:

Colorado Gentian can be found in Colorado

Which CPC Partners conserve Colorado Gentian (Frasera coloradensis)?

Lauritzen Gardens

Not Sponsored

Assigned 06/09/17

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

09/12/2020

Successfully propagated from seed using cold/moist stratification for 3 months (Nebraska Statewide Arboretum).

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Known only from the southeastern corner of Colorado, where there are about 28 occurrences within less than approximately 300 acres. This species probably has the most limited distribution of any plant endemic to the Great Plains (a floristic region comprised mostly of plants with wide distributions). Cattle are not excluded from most of the sites where the species occurs and mid- to late-summer grazing can prevent the plants from producing mature seed. Population appears healthy throughout its range except where herbicide application has occurred which is mainly along roadsides (Naumann 1991).

Jim Locklear

01/01/2010

Inadvertent loss or alteration of naturally limited habitat. Roadside herbicide applications. Tolerates moderate levels of grazing, but may be vulnerable to overgrazing or grazing during reproductive season (Naumann 1991).

Jim Locklear

01/01/2010

Approximately 15-20 known occurrences (Naumann 1991).

Jim Locklear

01/01/2010

Successfully propagated from seed using cold/moist stratification for 3 months (Nebraska Statewide Arboretum).

Jim Locklear

01/01/2010

Not Available

Jim Locklear

01/01/2010

Population monitoring. Life history research.

Jim Locklear

01/01/2010

Not Available