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(Dodecatheon meadia)
Eastern Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia)
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Hannes wilms
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Hannes wilms
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CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo by: Hannes wilms | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: Hannes wilms | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Dodecatheon_meadia_HW2.jpg | Notes: Uploaded own work with UploadWizard |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Dodecatheon meadia, commonly known as Eastern Shooting Star, is a deciduous perennial herb that is native to a variety of habitats including prairies, open woodlands, and forest edges in the Central and Eastern USA. It typically grows to a height of 8–20 inches (203–508 mm) and is characterized by its basal rosette of leaves and scapose flowers. The plant blooms in the spring, producing distinctive nodding flowers that form an umbel, with colors ranging from white to pink, lavender, or magenta, depending on the geographic location. The flowers are quite showy and attract pollinators such as bees. Seeds are dispersed by wind, which shakes the erect scapes.
Eastern Shooting Star is valued for its unique and attractive flowers, making it a popular choice for native plant gardens, woodland gardens, and shaded border plantings. It is relatively easy to maintain, requiring medium amounts of water and thriving in soils with fast to medium drainage. It prefers part shade to full shade conditions, mimicking its natural understory habitat. While it is not prone to serious diseases or pests, it can suffer from root rot if planted in poorly drained soils. This species is not typically invasive but can naturalize in suitable conditions. It is also noted for its morphological variation, which can be of interest to plant enthusiasts and gardeners who appreciate genetic diversity within species.CC BY-SA 4.0
Eastern Shooting Star is valued for its unique and attractive flowers, making it a popular choice for native plant gardens, woodland gardens, and shaded border plantings. It is relatively easy to maintain, requiring medium amounts of water and thriving in soils with fast to medium drainage. It prefers part shade to full shade conditions, mimicking its natural understory habitat. While it is not prone to serious diseases or pests, it can suffer from root rot if planted in poorly drained soils. This species is not typically invasive but can naturalize in suitable conditions. It is also noted for its morphological variation, which can be of interest to plant enthusiasts and gardeners who appreciate genetic diversity within species.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.8-2 feet
- Width: 0.8-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, Purple, White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Fragrant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Prairies, open woodlands, and forest edges in the Central and Eastern USA
Other Names
Common Names: Pride Of Ohio , Shooting Star
Scientific Names: Dodecatheon meadia , Dodecatheon meadia var. meadia , Dodecatheon lemoinei , Dodecatheon meadia f. meadia , Dodecatheon splendidum
GBIF Accepted Name: Dodecatheon meadia L.