What is this wildflower with 4 symmetrical petals, white with purple spots, lanceolate leaves? The plant is about a foot high.
I live in the middle Himalayas (about 1600m above sea level) and it's just entering autumn here.
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2Is it possible to post a couple more photos, one showing the plant overall to display growth habit and one showing the foliage please? – Bamboo Sep 28 '15 at 10:37
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Added the photos, hope it helps! – chicu Sep 28 '15 at 15:36
2 Answers
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@stormy, @Niall C. Thank you! This looks like it: Swertia angustifolia
The 'frasera' identification was a big help.After that, it was just a matter of hunting.
Thank you so much both for the identification and for introducing me to a beguiling group of plants
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This wasn't easy... try Frasera albicaulis. If you google this it'll show lots of pictures.
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Mhm. Not entirely convinced. OP says it's from the Himalayas while frasera albicaulis is native to the NW US. Flowers also seem a bit "distant" for frasera albicaulis. *Very similar* though, perhaps a close relative? – Stephie Sep 27 '15 at 21:38
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1I agree, this plant is not a match. But I might try growing it in my garden, thanks! – kevinskio Sep 28 '15 at 01:33
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Yea, not a match, more like Leontopodium, or Eidelweiss - I can't help thinking the one pictured above is some sort of orchid... but I can't track it down, so maybe not. – Bamboo Sep 28 '15 at 10:24
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It does have fleshy petals..but also has a taproot. Is that possible for an orchid? Apologies if the question is silly, but i really do not know about ground orchids! – chicu Sep 28 '15 at 15:37
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Orchids have petals, sepals in groups of 3. This plant isn't an orchid. But I am glad Frasera led you to Swertia...helped. I actually came across Swertia in Nepal but the pictures were terrible. What a cool plant! The chemistry is facinating! Good for you! – stormy Sep 28 '15 at 19:39