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Marcus, Joseph A.
Amsonia ciliata
Amsonia ciliata Walter
Fringed Bluestar, Bluestar, Texas Bluestar
Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: AMCI
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Flower: Flowers 1 inch
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: BlueBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , MO , NC , OK , SC , TXNative Distribution: NC to FL, w. to MO & TX
Native Habitat: Dry, open woods; chalky hills
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight 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 DivisionDescription: 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
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiBibref 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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Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterResearch Literature
Reslit 1154 - Typification of names of temperate North American plants proposed by Linnaeus (2009) J. L. Reveal and C. E. JarvisReslit 1618 - Flavonol glycosides of Amsonia ciliata (1974) L. E. Urbatsch and T. J. Mabry
Reslit 2625 - Performance of 67 native midwestern US perennials in a low-maintenance landscape (2004) A. L. Thomas, D. Schrock
This information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
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Additional resources
USDA: Find Amsonia ciliata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Amsonia ciliata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Amsonia ciliata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-11-10Research By: TWC Staff