Bruso, George H.
Amsonia tabernaemontana Walt.
Eastern bluestar, Blue dogbane, Willow amsonia, Woodland bluestar
Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)
Eastern bluestar is a 1-3 ft., erect-stemmed
perennial forming large, multi-stemmed clumps. The smooth stems are crowded with narrow,
oval leaves which turn golden-yellow in the fall. Blue, tubular flowers, the rim flaring to a star-shape, appear in loosely conjested clusters at the tips of the stems.
The species name commemorates the 16th-century German herbalist Jakobus Theodorus Tabernaemontanus.
Greek apocynum noxious to dogs. Distasteful.
Image Gallery:
3 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Anthers yellow-orange. Flowers often partially hidden by uppermost leaves.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MA , MS , MO , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA
Native Distribution: MD & s.e. VA to s. IL & infrequently to KS, s. to FL & e. TX
Native Habitat: Wet, sandy sites in thin woods & on plains.
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Wet to moist, sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: This species should be cut back after flowering. Blue star has naturalized northeast as far as Massachusetts. A similar species, A. illustris, occurs inland from MO & KS to TX.
Last Update: 2009-04-18
