Mountain Shooting Star

Scientific name

Dodecatheon pulchellum

Description

The Darkthroat Shooting Star is a short perennial wildflower species that can grow up to 50 cm tall. This plant may also be known by the common name: Saline Shooting Star, Few-Flower Shooting Star, or Western Shooting Star. The leaves are basal, ovate shaped, spread upward and outward, and are about 10 cm long. The flowers are small umbels, have five curved petals, are pinkish purple coloured, appear on long leafless stems, and bloom between May and August. The showy flowers have the appearance of a shooting star with arching petals and a dart shaped flower tube. The flowers are beneficial for bee species.

Planting conditions

Saline Shooting Star grows best in moist to wet conditions with partial sun exposure. It prefers sandy or loamy soil types and a neutral pH level. It is intolerant of drought but may tolerate salinity. This wildflower naturally occurs in wet forests, moist meadows, prairies, or along stream shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 1.5m
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Wet
• Light conditions:
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Wildflower
• Eco Zone:
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
  • 7a
  • 7b
• Plant type:
  • Wildflower
• Height:
  • 50 cm
• Spread:
  • 50 cm