Synonyms: Dodecatheon meadia, Shooting-star.
Eastern Shootingstar is an ephemeral spring wildflower that occurs in the central and eastern United States. Across Maryland, many populations are now extirpated. Allegany, Washington, and Montgomery are the only counties with extant populations. Most of these are along the Potomac River and in Green Ridge State Forest.
Eastern Shootingstar leaves are arranged in a basal rosette, from which arise one or more flower stalks. Each flower has five petals, which may be white, light pink, or rosy pink. The petals are reflexed upward, giving the flower an “inside-out” look, with stamens and pistils at the base. The anthers are long and arranged like a cone around the style (female part). The flowers have no scent.
This plant grows in open, often rocky forests, woodlands, and barrens. It is often found on calcareous and mafic rocks, and has a preference for slopes, where there is not heavy competition from taller plants.
Pollination is mostly by bumblebees, which obtain pollen by the rapid vibration of their thoracic muscles, a process called "buzz pollination."
There are 95 records in the project database.
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