Elkweed-Frasera speciosa

This tall flowering stalk is elkweed (Frasera speciosa), also called monument plant or green gentian and was once known as Swertia radiata. It's in the Gentian Family (Gentianaceae), and has a fascinating life story.

The plants produce basal leaves, sometimes up to 80 years, before a flowering stalk emerges. Once the plant flowers, it dies, a trait that makes it a monocarpic plant. It appears that there are flowering outbreaks, when many plants in a close area flower in the same year. 

From a distance, the flowers don't appear conspicuous among the horizontal cauline (along the stem) leaves.
A closer look shows the interesting flowers, with their lavender highlights on the green background. Flowers usually have four petals, but can have five. 

For more information about elkweed, click here.

Desert Frasera-Frasera albomarginata

A plant that can be easily overlooked in pinyon-juniper areas in rocky soil is desert frasera (Frasera albomarginata), also called white-margined green gentian. It's a member of the Gentian Family (Gentianaceae).

Flowers are white with green specks. They are quite pretty, but generally only about 1/2 inch across.

This plant can be spotted early in the summer due to its leaves--green with white margins (hence the species name albomarginata "white margins"). These leaves wither as the plant ages.

For more information about desert frasera, click here.