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Jun 2, 2024 · In this article, we'll delve into 11 fascinating facts about shooting star flowers, unveiling their symbolic significance, ecological role, and horticultural appeal. From their diverse species to their cultural symbolism, there's much to discover about these mesmerizing wildflowers.
- Overview
- Physical description
- Major species
shooting star, in botany, any of several species of flowering plants formerly of the genus Dodecatheon and now placed in the genus Primula (family Primulaceae). The plants are mostly native to western North America, though one species is native to Asiatic Russia. Several species are cultivated—often in rock gardens—for their attractive flowers.
The low-growing shooting stars are perennial herbs with wavy-margined leaves growing in a rosette. The flowers, which are commonly reddish, purple, lilac, pink, or white, grow in a small cluster at the end of a leafless stalk (scape). The five lobes of the corolla (the structure formed by the petals) are turned backward, and the flowers point downward. The flowers are “buzz pollinated,” meaning that they require a certain frequency of vibration from bees in order to release their pollen.
Britannica Quiz
Darkthroat, or pretty, shooting star (Primula pauciflorum) and broad-leaved shooting star (P. hendersonii), both native to dry regions of the western United States, are common cultivated species. Several varieties of eastern shooting star (P. meadia), native to eastern North America, are also grown as ornamentals. Western Arctic shooting star (P. f...
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Shooting Stars, belonging to the genus Dodecatheon, are a group of captivating perennial wildflowers native primarily to North America. These plants, prized for their unique and enchanting flowers, add a touch of natural elegance to various garden settings.
The flowers of D. meadia are said to resemble shooting stars. This ephemeral spring wildflower from central and eastern US (southern Wisconsin to western Pennsylvania and south to eastern Texas and Georgia) is generally found growing in moist meadows, prairies, and open woods in zones 4-8.
Dubbed as a spring ephemeral, the shooting star plant blooms in the spring when mild temperatures and moist soil create a healthy growing season for the plant. In the summer, it goes dormant. Its foliage emerges in early spring – a fibrous root system produces basal rosettes.