“Showy Green-Gentian (Frasera speciosa) - The Showy Green-gentian, one of the tallest of the herbaceous plants, has a thick stem with a curious mixture of numerous leaves and green flowers whorls. Each individual flower has a plan of 4 sepals, 4 petals, and 4 stamens. Many insects are attracted to the rather elaborate nectar glands and purple spots on each petal. It can be seen along the Jackson Hole Highway or on Dunraven Pass during June and July. The first year the plant produces only a whorl of basal leaves, and in the second year the 2-5 foot unbranched stem appears.” {From: "Plants of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks" by Richard J. Shaw pg 46.} |