Frasera caroliniensis

Frasera caroliniensis, commonly known as American columbo or yellow gentian, is a herbaceous perennial of the gentian family Gentianaceae found in the deciduous forest of Southern Ontario and throughout the eastern and southeastern United States.[1] It was previously known as Swertia caroliniensis.

Frasera caroliniensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Gentianaceae
Genus: Frasera
Species:
F. caroliniensis
Binomial name
Frasera caroliniensis
Synonyms

Swertia caroliniensis (Walter) Kuntze

Description

American columbo is a monocarpic perennial, meaning it flowers once after multiple seasons, and then dies. When it reaches the flowering stage, the 3 – 6 inch lanceolate leaves develop (usually in whorls of four) on a round elongated stem, and approximately 50 to 100 flowers will develop a panicle, with the fruits maturing soon after. The flowers that it produces are about 1 inch in diameter and folious (tall and "spike"-like), green to yellow in colour with purple speckles. It is a perfect and complete flower, with four stamens and two carpels.[2] The oblong shaped seed capsule has a brownish color and is about 1/2 inch long. The entire plant can reach heights over 2 metres (7 ft). Though it is monocarpic, the plant may live for up to 30 years before flowering.[1]

The roots of F. caroliniensis are a taproot system, with a thick and fleshy taproot, and in some Frasera species, this may be modified into a branched rhizome. The leaves of F. caroliensis are carried on stalks ("petiolate") and have a thick, waxy texture.[2]

Other names

aka American calumba, American colombo, Radix colombo americanae, Frasera Walteri, Frasera Canadensis, Faux colomo, meadowpride, pyramid-flower, pyramid-plant, Indian lettuce, yellow gentian, ground-century;

Distribution and habitat

American columbo lives in dry upland areas, rocky woods and areas with calcareous soil, though it is not limited by soil texture or other soil characteristics.[1] The species ranges from deciduous forest regions in southern Ontario, through southern Michigan, northern Indiana, southern Illinois, southern Missouri, southeast Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and northern Louisiana.[3]

Human importance

Medicinal uses for American columbo have mostly been rebutted. However, it was a common belief in the early 19th century that the root of the plant might be externally used for gangrene. It was also claimed to be useful in treating jaundice, scurvy, gout and rabies.[2]

The dried root, which was official in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1880, is used as a simple tonic.[4]

Frasera caroliniensis is chiefly known as an occasional substitute for Calumba root, or Jatheorrhiza Columba, a native of Mozambique.[5]

Ecology

Several tree species are associated with F. caroliniensis, such as sweet-gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) and pignut hickory (Carya glabra). Even more vines and understory trees are associated with this species, such as eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). Herbs associated with the species include the prostrate ticktrefoil (Desmodium rotundifolium), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) and ebony spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron). The canopy of trees that are associated with this species are important for its survival, though if the canopy becomes too dense the plant may not flower as well.[1] When the plants do flower, they contain large nectaries, which aid in pollination.[6]

Conservation

This species is endangered in Ontario and nationally in Canada. The most extreme limiting factor for this species is invasive plants that are heavily infesting its habitat.[7] This may be attributed to its long life cycle, which would not allow the species to adapt to rapid changes in environment, and therefore not survive long enough to disperse its seeds. Also this species has a "seed dormancy" (prevention of germination until optimal environmental conditions are present), that can only be broken in typical spring conditions. Furthermore, deforestation can be extremely destructive to the plants, as they rely on the canopy provided from the trees. Conservation practices to manage these issues include leaving surrounding trees within 4 square metres (43 sq ft), stimulating growth by cutting a small opening in the canopy, and draining overly flooded areas to provide clay-like soil.[3]

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References
  1. Horn, N. C. 1997. An ecological study of Frasera caroliniensis. Castanea, journal of the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society. 62(3): 185–193.
  2. Card, H.H. 1931. A revision of Genus Frasera. Annals of Missouri Botanical Garden. 18(2): 245–282. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2394089
  3. Threadgill, F. P., Baskin, M. T., Baskin, C. C. 1979. Geographical Ecology of Frasera caroliniensis. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 106(3): 185–188.
  4. "American Colombo. Frasera carolinensis Walt. - Henriette's Herbal Homepage". www.henriettes-herb.com.
  5. Leyel, Mrs. M. Grieve ; with an introduction by the editor, Mrs. C.F. (1982). A modern herbal : the medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and economic properties, cultivation and folk-lore of herbs, grasses, fungi, shrubs & trees with all their modern scientific uses. New York: Dover Publications. ISBN 0-486-22798-7.
  6. Threadgill, F. P., Baskin, M. T., Baskin, C. C. 1981. The ecological life cycle of Frasera caroliniensis, a long-lived monocarpic perennial. American Midland Naturalist. 105(2): 277–289.
  7. "Information archivée dans le Web" (PDF). dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca.
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