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Shooting star (Dodecatheon)
Also known as : Mad Violets, American cowslip
Found throughout much of North America, shooting star are flowering plants that produce attractive nodding flowers borne on tall stems. In nature, they can be found in wet habitats such as moist meadows and valleys. Closely related to primroses (Primula spp.), these perennials are often cultivated as ornamental plants. 
Lifespan
Perennial
Key Facts About Shooting star
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Attributes of Shooting star
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Shooting star
Phylum
Vascular plants
Class
Dicotyledons
Order
Heathers and allies
Family
Primrose
Genus
Shooting star
How to Grow and Care for Shooting star
Feedback
Shooting star is known for its beautiful flowers and prefers environments that emulate its native woodland habitats. The basic care involves partial shade, consistently moist but well-draining soil, and cool to moderate temperatures. Shooting star faces challenges like root rot and pests such as aphids. Seasonally, shooting star enters dormancy in summer, requiring less water, and during spring it benefits from more moisture and cooler conditions to support growth and flowering.
How to Water Shooting star?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Shooting star?
How to Propagate Shooting star?
Exploring the Shooting star Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Pretty Shooting Star
Pretty Shooting Star is a wildflower that also makes a striking picture as a garden plant. This perennial blooms from early spring into August, and features a number of flowers with petals that look like they have been blown backwards by the wind, giving them the appearance of shooting stars.
Shooting star
Shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia) is a perennial plant that will grow to about 61 cm tall with its flower stalk in bloom. It grows from a basal rosette of leaves and produces a flower stalk in late spring that is covered with up to 40 uniquely-shaped flowers, ranging in color from white to rosy pink. The blossoms look like a display of shooting stars. Attracts a variety of bees.
Henderson's shootingstar
Henderson's shootingstar is a North American wildflower that can be seen in moist meadows, prairies, and grasslands, as well as in oak and conifer woodlands. It prefers shady places. This perennial wildflower produces a number of beautiful, nodding, purple-pink flowers.
White shootingstar
White shootingstar (Dodecatheon dentatum) is an herbaceous perennial that can grow to be 41 to 51 cm in height. White shootingstar is indigenous to western North America. This species is also known as the toothed American cowslip.
Dodecatheon conjugens
Dodecatheon conjugens−Primula conjugens is a thick-rooted perennial with narrow oval-shaped leaves around the base. It erects slim tall stems which are dark in color and are topped with inflorescences of one to seven showy flowers. The bloom period is spring to summer. Each flower nods with its mouth pointed to the ground when new and becomes more erect with age.
Western arctic shootingstar
Dodecatheon frigidum is an herbaceous perennial up to 40 cm tall, spreading by means of underground rhizomes. Each shoot produces 2-7 flowers, usually pink to magenta with a white center.
Mosquito bills
It has basal clumps of leaves, 2 to 16 cm, with nodding flowers 6 to 25 mm long on stems 10 to 30 cm tall. The flowers are magenta to deep lavender to white, with the stamens thrust out and the sepals bent back. It is highly variable and hybridizes with Dodecatheon clevelandii, from which it can be distinguished by its reddish or purplish stem.
Dodecatheon pulchellum subsp. pauciflorum
Dodecatheon pulchellum subsp. pauciflorum is a charming perennial with dainty, nodding flowers that boast reflexed petals in shades of pink or white. The umbrella-like foliage emerges at ground level, providing a lush base for the striking blooms. This subspecies often thrives in moist alpine meadows, where the cool, wet conditions promote its delicate beauty and resilience.
All Species of Shooting star
Pretty Shooting Star
Pretty Shooting Star
Pretty Shooting Star is a wildflower that also makes a striking picture as a garden plant. This perennial blooms from early spring into August, and features a number of flowers with petals that look like they have been blown backwards by the wind, giving them the appearance of shooting stars.
Shooting star
Shooting star
Shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia) is a perennial plant that will grow to about 61 cm tall with its flower stalk in bloom. It grows from a basal rosette of leaves and produces a flower stalk in late spring that is covered with up to 40 uniquely-shaped flowers, ranging in color from white to rosy pink. The blossoms look like a display of shooting stars. Attracts a variety of bees.
Henderson's shootingstar
Henderson's shootingstar
Henderson's shootingstar is a North American wildflower that can be seen in moist meadows, prairies, and grasslands, as well as in oak and conifer woodlands. It prefers shady places. This perennial wildflower produces a number of beautiful, nodding, purple-pink flowers.
White shootingstar
White shootingstar
White shootingstar (Dodecatheon dentatum) is an herbaceous perennial that can grow to be 41 to 51 cm in height. White shootingstar is indigenous to western North America. This species is also known as the toothed American cowslip.
Dodecatheon conjugens
Dodecatheon conjugens
Dodecatheon conjugens−Primula conjugens is a thick-rooted perennial with narrow oval-shaped leaves around the base. It erects slim tall stems which are dark in color and are topped with inflorescences of one to seven showy flowers. The bloom period is spring to summer. Each flower nods with its mouth pointed to the ground when new and becomes more erect with age.
Western arctic shootingstar
Western arctic shootingstar
Dodecatheon frigidum is an herbaceous perennial up to 40 cm tall, spreading by means of underground rhizomes. Each shoot produces 2-7 flowers, usually pink to magenta with a white center.
Mosquito bills
Mosquito bills
It has basal clumps of leaves, 2 to 16 cm, with nodding flowers 6 to 25 mm long on stems 10 to 30 cm tall. The flowers are magenta to deep lavender to white, with the stamens thrust out and the sepals bent back. It is highly variable and hybridizes with Dodecatheon clevelandii, from which it can be distinguished by its reddish or purplish stem.
Dodecatheon pulchellum subsp. pauciflorum
Dodecatheon pulchellum subsp. pauciflorum
Dodecatheon pulchellum subsp. pauciflorum is a charming perennial with dainty, nodding flowers that boast reflexed petals in shades of pink or white. The umbrella-like foliage emerges at ground level, providing a lush base for the striking blooms. This subspecies often thrives in moist alpine meadows, where the cool, wet conditions promote its delicate beauty and resilience.
Scented shootingstar
Scented shootingstar
Scented shootingstar features an enchanting display of downturned flowers with a unique umbrella-like shape. The blooms, often in shades of lavender or white, contrast brightly against verdant rosettes of leaves. Thriving in alpine meadows and open forests, scented shootingstar is adapted to cooler climates and well-drained soils. Its distinct fragrance draws pollinators essential for its survival within its high-altitude niche.
Dodecatheon clevelandii subsp. clevelandii
Dodecatheon clevelandii subsp. clevelandii
Dodecatheon clevelandii subsp. clevelandii flaunts a stunning starburst of magenta petals, each arching backwards as if to unveil the golden-orange center. Rising from a basal rosette of slender leaves, this wildflower prefers the dappled shade of its native coastal sage scrub and chaparral, thriving in well-drained soils. Its unique blossom structure attracts pollinators, vital for its late spring to early summer bloom.
Dodecatheon jeffreyanum subsp. jeffreyanum
Dodecatheon jeffreyanum subsp. jeffreyanum
Dodecatheon jeffreyanum subsp. jeffreyanum is marked by its striking upright flower stalks that display a cluster of magenta to violet blooms with unique reflexed petals and prominent yellow stamens. This perennial prefers the moist, shaded woodlands and meadows where it gracefully emerges in the spring, its leaves forming a lush basal rosette that cradles the flower's beauty.
Tundra shootingstar
Tundra shootingstar
Tundra shootingstar features a rosette of oblong leaves from its base, and is known for its striking floral display. Each stem supports an umbrella of downward-facing flowers, with reflexed petals and a pronounced central stamen cluster. Typically found in colder, alpine regions, its vivid blooms contrast with the often stark landscape, suggesting a specialized adaptation to attract its limited pollinators.
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Shooting star
Dodecatheon
Also known as: Mad Violets, American cowslip
Found throughout much of North America, shooting star are flowering plants that produce attractive nodding flowers borne on tall stems. In nature, they can be found in wet habitats such as moist meadows and valleys. Closely related to primroses (Primula spp.), these perennials are often cultivated as ornamental plants.
Lifespan
Perennial
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Key Facts About Shooting star
Feedback
Attributes of Shooting star
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Shooting star
Phylum
Vascular plants Class
Dicotyledons Order
Heathers and allies Family
Primrose Genus
Shooting star How to Grow and Care for Shooting star
Feedback
Shooting star is known for its beautiful flowers and prefers environments that emulate its native woodland habitats. The basic care involves partial shade, consistently moist but well-draining soil, and cool to moderate temperatures. Shooting star faces challenges like root rot and pests such as aphids. Seasonally, shooting star enters dormancy in summer, requiring less water, and during spring it benefits from more moisture and cooler conditions to support growth and flowering.
How to Water Shooting star?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Shooting star?
How to Propagate Shooting star?
Exploring the Shooting star Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Pretty Shooting Star
Pretty Shooting Star is a wildflower that also makes a striking picture as a garden plant. This perennial blooms from early spring into August, and features a number of flowers with petals that look like they have been blown backwards by the wind, giving them the appearance of shooting stars.
Shooting star
Shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia) is a perennial plant that will grow to about 61 cm tall with its flower stalk in bloom. It grows from a basal rosette of leaves and produces a flower stalk in late spring that is covered with up to 40 uniquely-shaped flowers, ranging in color from white to rosy pink. The blossoms look like a display of shooting stars. Attracts a variety of bees.
Henderson's shootingstar
Henderson's shootingstar is a North American wildflower that can be seen in moist meadows, prairies, and grasslands, as well as in oak and conifer woodlands. It prefers shady places. This perennial wildflower produces a number of beautiful, nodding, purple-pink flowers.
White shootingstar
White shootingstar (Dodecatheon dentatum) is an herbaceous perennial that can grow to be 41 to 51 cm in height. White shootingstar is indigenous to western North America. This species is also known as the toothed American cowslip.
Show More Species
All Species of Shooting star
Pretty Shooting Star
Shooting star
Henderson's shootingstar
White shootingstar
Dodecatheon conjugens
Western arctic shootingstar
Mosquito bills
Dodecatheon pulchellum subsp. pauciflorum
Scented shootingstar
Dodecatheon clevelandii subsp. clevelandii
Dodecatheon jeffreyanum subsp. jeffreyanum
Tundra shootingstar
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
