Family: Primulaceae
jeweled shooting-star
[Dodecatheon amethystinum (Fassett) Fassett, more...]
Robert R. Kowal
Aaron Carlson
Etymology: Dodecatheon: from Greek dodeka, "twelve;" thios, "god(s)." One source implies it was considered to be powerful medicine and under the care of the twelve leading gods, and another suggests that because the flowers sometimes appear in clusters of twelve
Plants: erect, perennial, 8"-24" tall, smooth forb
Leaves: oblong, basal, often with a reddish base
Flowers: magenta, 5-parted, 3/4"-1" long, petals facing backward and upward from the flower center; inflorescence an umbel of nodding, long-stalked flowers on a 8"-24" tall stalk; blooms April-June
Fruits: light red/brown capsule, thin-walled, often about 3 times as long as wide, splitting at the base
Habitat: shade; moist; cliffs, streambanks; in limy soil
Plants: erect, perennial, 8"-24" tall, smooth forb
Leaves: oblong, basal, often with a reddish base
Flowers: magenta, 5-parted, 3/4"-1" long, petals facing backward and upward from the flower center; inflorescence an umbel of nodding, long-stalked flowers on a 8"-24" tall stalk; blooms April-June
Fruits: light red/brown capsule, thin-walled, often about 3 times as long as wide, splitting at the base
Habitat: shade; moist; cliffs, streambanks; in limy soil
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 8 WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin listed species including state and federal status, photos, etc. USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos
Aaron Carlson
