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Vick, Albert F. W.

Dodecatheon amethystinum

Dodecatheon amethystinum (Fassett) Fassett

Jeweled Shootingstar, Amethyst Shootingstar

Primulaceae (Primrose Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: doam

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

An 8-20 in. flower stalk rises over a basal rosette of leaves. At the top, the flower stalk divides into numerous branches, each ending in a rose-crimson flower. The five petals diverge backward to form a "shooting star."

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 20 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: May

Distribution

USA: IA , IL , MN , MO , PA , WI , WV
Native Distribution: Lower Susquehanna & Schuylkill R. valleys in e. PA; n. WV; & "driftless areas" of WI, MN, IL & IA
Native Habitat: Damp, calcereous cliffs & banks along streams

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Mesic, limey soils

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Best propagated by division. Dig mature crowns in July, when dormant, then divide and replant. Very fine seed germinates, but seedlings grow very slowly.
Seed Treatment: Moist or dry stratification, or fresh seed
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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