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Amsonia ciliata (Fringed bluestar)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Amsonia ciliata Walt.

Fringed bluestar, Bluestar, Blue funnel lily, Texas bluestar

Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

USDA Symbol: amci

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The blue star plant grows 15–24 inches tall. The leaves are borne singly, but very close together all the way up the stem to the flower cluster. They are 1/2 inch wide and 2 inches long, with one vein running lengthwise down the center and attached directly to the main stem (without a petiole). The leaves are smooth, soft, and slightly smaller toward the upper part of the stem. The narrow tube of the pale blue flower, 1/2 inch long, opens into 5 petal-like lobes in a star shape l/2 inch across, with a ring of white at the center. Several blossoms grow in a loose cluster at the tips of the stems.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower: Flowers 1 inch
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , MO , NC , OK , SC , TX
Native Distribution: NC to FL, w. to MO & TX
Native Habitat: Dry, open woods; chalky hills
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Well-drained, sandy loam or limestone. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Limestone-based.
Conditions Comments: This plant becomes aggressive in rich, garden soil. It does need some summer water. To keep blue star erect and bushy, cut it back after it has flowered.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Fringed bluestar is a long-lived perennial grown for its handsome foliage and spring flowers. The multi-stemmed clumps, to 3 ft. tall, are crowded with smooth, narrow, light-green leaves giving the plant a fine-textured, delicate appearance. Steel-blue, tubular flowers, the rim flaring to a star-shape, appear in loosely conjested clusters at the tips of the stems. The thin seedpods and golden fall foliage are additional attributes.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division
Description: Seed can be sown outside, 1/2 deep, after collection. Seedlings germinate immediately, but flower the second year following germination. For seeds that have been stored, cut an end off the seed and soak in water 2-3 days. This will aid germination. R
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0505 Collected Apr. 11, 1992 in Kendall County by Lottie Millsaps

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Amsonia ciliata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Amsonia ciliata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Amsonia ciliata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-04-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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