(Gentianaceae)

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Green Gentian (Frasera speciosa)

For the first several years, the green gentian is a low cluster of large leaves. Once it has stored enough energy, it puts up a tall, leafy flower stalk, produces seeds, and dies. The flower stalks at the center of one of the pictures were both over 2 meters (6 feet) tall. So far, I have a close-up of the flower buds but not of the open flowers, which are green with some white and with dark spots.

Arizona Centaury (Zeltnera)

During usually low flow in the Rio Grande, I was able to tramp what is ordinarily a river channel. Next to the channel, in damp soil, was a cluster of Arizona centaury plants (either Zeltnera arizonica or Z. calycosa).