Frasera caroliniensis aka American Columbo

Frasera caroliniensis has the common name American columbo. It belongs to the gentian family, Gentianaceae. Its native range spans southeastern Canada and central and eastern America. In Canada, it grows in southern Ontario. In the United States, it grows in parts of the Midwest and Southeast. It grows in temperate climates and on dry soils. Kew calls it a monocarpic perennial. This means it flowers once, then dies. Plants For A Future lists another name: Swertia caroliniensis.

This herbaceous plant can grow about 8.2 feet [2.5 metres] tall. It thus ranks among the taller woodland plants. The sources give no mature width or full leaf details. Plants For A Future says it blooms in July and August. Each flower has both male and female organs. The sources do not give the flower colour. They give no fruit details or facts about pollinators. A perennial life cycle does not mean it blooms each year. Bear its once-only bloom in mind when planning a planting.

In gardens, it needs moist soil that drains well. Plants For A Future suggests stony soil with peat. It also lists sand and loam as suitable soils. Its notes on growing the plant favour acid soil. Its summary allows neutral soil as well. It grows in full sun or light woodland shade. A woodland garden or an edge with dappled shade suits it. The source says it is hardy to at least 10°F [-12°C]. It grows on dry ground in the wild. Yet the garden notes call for moist soil. For garden use, the clearest advice is moist ground that drains well.

Plants For A Future lists no known food uses. It lists no known hazards, but this does not prove safety. It records uses as medicine, not as food. Dried root has served as a bitter tonic to aid digestion. Fresh root can cause vomiting and act as a laxative. Other uses have been for stomach complaints and poor appetite. They also include dysentery. Powdered plant material has served as a poultice for ulcers. A poultice is a dressing placed on the skin. These past uses do not prove home treatment is safe. To raise new plants, the source says to sow seed under glass in spring. Keep young plants under glass through their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Wait until the risk of frost has passed.