Yellow Gentian

Appearance

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 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 , green to yellow in colour with purple speckles. It is a perfect and complete flower, with four stamens and two carpels.
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 . Though it is monocarpic, the plant may live for up to 30 years before flowering.

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 and have a thick, waxy texture.

Naming

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

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. 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.

Status

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. 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" , 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 , stimulating growth by cutting a small opening in the canopy, and draining overly flooded areas to provide clay-like soil.

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. 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.Several tree species are associated with ''F. caroliniensis'', such as sweet-gum , tulip tree and pignut hickory . Even more vines and understory trees are associated with this species, such as eastern redbud , strawberry bush , Japanese honeysuckle , Virginia creeper and poison ivy . Herbs associated with the species include the prostrate ticktrefoil , Christmas fern and ebony spleenwort . 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. When the plants do flower, they contain large nectaries, which aid in pollination.