Frasera speciosa
Douglas ex Griseb.
Green gentian, Gentian root, Yellow gentian
(c) Scott F Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Scott F Smith
(c) Morgan Stickrod, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Morgan Stickrod
(c) Eric Hough, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Eric Hough
What to Eat
Edible parts: Root, Caution
The fleshy root has reportedly been eaten by Native American peoples, but caution is advised as roots of closely related plants are used medicinally as emetics and cathartics.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant. It grows between 1,500-3,000 m above sea level.
North America, USA,
How to Identify
A herb. It grows 1.5 m tall. It can grow for 2 or several years. The stem is stout and upright. The leaves on the stem are oblong to sword shaped and in rings. They have pointed tips. They can be 50 cm long. Flowers are produced in clusters along the stem. The plant dies after flowering.
How to Grow
Requires a moist but well-drained position and a stony peaty soil. Requires an acidic soil. A very ornamental plant.
Propagation: Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse. Prick seedlings out into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Can also be propagated by division in late winter.
Medicinal Uses
The whole plant is febrifuge, pectoral, laxative, and tonic. An infusion of dried, powdered leaves or root has been used to treat diarrhoea. A cooled decoction of the roots has been used for asthma, colds, and digestive complaints. An infusion of the plant has been used as a contraceptive. Caution is advised in the use of this plant.
Other Uses
The root, ground to a powder and mixed with oil, has been used as a parasiticide to kill lice.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Frasera speciosa is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family (Gentianaceae) known by the common names elkweed, monument plant, and green gentian. When blooming it grows a tall stalk with numerous flowers that have purple dotted green petals. Each plant can flower just once before it dies.
Names & Synonyms
Deer's ears, Elkweed
References (5)
- Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
- Fl. bor.-amer. 2:66, t. 153. 1838
- Kiple, K.F. & Ornelas, K.C., (eds), 2000, The Cambridge World History of Food. CUP p 1777
- Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 238
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
